Stonewall Columbus celebration highlights Pride Month events
June is Pride Month, so designated in commemoration of the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan on June 28, 1969 — a tipping point in the gay rights movement. This month also is the 53rd anniversary of the first Pride parade, which took place one year to the date after the uprising.
In addition to remembering those pivotal moments in history, Pride Month is a time when the LGBTQ+ community and its allies celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights with marches and memorials, picnics and protests, and parades featuring colorful floats and even more colorful participants.
The best-known local celebration is the Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and March, which draws upward of 700,000 people each year, making it one of the Midwest’s largest Pride gatherings.
When is the Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and March?
Stonewall Columbus’ 42nd annual festival will begin at 4 p.m. June 16 in Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St., with 200-plus vendors, two performance stages, a Dj/dancing pad, a community wellness area, many community resources and more. The next day, the Pride March will step off at High and Broad streets at 10:30 a.m.
Numerous other Pride happenings are making for a packed calendar this month. Here is a sampling of what’s going on locally.
Pride Month events around Columbus June 2
Bexley Pride Walk — Participants will meet at Capital University’s Capital Lawn across the street from Graeter’s Ice Cream for the second annual walk, which begins at 5:30 p.m.
June 3
Delaware Ohio Pride Fest — Musical performances and other live entertainment, community resources, food trucks, vendors and a kids’ zone will be among the festivities in Boardman Arts Park, 154 W. William St., Delaware, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
June 4
King Avenue Pride Worship — Pride Sunday will be celebrated at King Avenue United Methodist Church, 299 King Ave., during regular worship services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite rainbow attire.
Rainbow Love — Worthington’s Pride celebration will take place from noon to 6 p.m. at various sites including the Village Green, Graeter’s lot and along High Street. The fun will include drag queen story time, live music, food and drink vendors, free yoga classes, and free Mom hugs from PFLAG Columbus.
June 5
City Hall Pride Illumination — A rainbow of hues will light up City Hall, 90 W. Broad St., on the Marconi Boulevard side of the building to honor Columbus Pride Week and celebrate the city’s open, inclusive community. Mayor Andrew Ginther, Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin, City Auditor Megan Kilgore, and Densil R. Porteous, executive director and CEO of Stonewall Columbus, will be among the attendees. Community Relations Commission Chair Chris Cozad will be given this year’s Shellabarger Illuminator Award, which recognizes an individual in the Columbus community who has shown outstanding initiative to promote LGBTQ+ rights.
Homedog Resort & Daycare pet pride photo shoot — Dress your fourlegged friends in their best finery for pride-themed photos at Homedog, 561 Short St., from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 5-9. To register online, go to homedogresort.com and log in or create an account on the Pet Exec owner portal. Photo shoots also will take place June 19-23.
June 10
Hilliard Pride — Learn about central Ohio LGBTQ+ organizations, enjoy food and beverages from Old Hilliard businesses, cool off in the splash pad and chalk the sidewalk from noon to 3 p.m. in Station Park, 4021 Main St., Hilliard. Live music will be provided by local cover band Session 5. T-shirts will be available for purchase, with all proceeds going to support event sponsor Rainbow Hilliard.
Westerville Pride — The 3rd annual Pride festival will be held from 2-8 p.m. at Westerville City Hall, 21 S. State St., where celebrators can visit tables with information about local organizations, check out vendors offering special Pride-themed wares, and enjoy familyfriendly fun including a children’s story hour.
“Heroes Among Us” — The Black, Out & Proud (BOP) collective will hold its fourth-annual art and fashion show from 5-8 p.m. in the Wells Barn at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E. Broad St. Showcasing work by local Black and LGBTQ+ artists and designers, the 18-and-older event is open to “anyone who wants to celebrate the culture and honor the Black aesthetic,” BOP’S website states. A cash bar will be available. General admission tickets are $25, VIP tickets $50 at blackoutandproud.com. Sales end June 10.
June 11
Upper Arlington Pride — Rainbow UA is holding the city’s third-annual Pride celebration from 1-5 p.m. in Sunny 95 Park and Amelita Mirolo Barn, 4395 Carriage Hill Lane. In addition to food trucks and more than 50 booths of community organizations and vendors, there will be a best-dressed pet costume, drag performances and storytimes, performances by members of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and a vocal duet from Upper Arlington High School, a kids’ area, make-and-take art projects and more.
June 16
Central Ohio Reconciling Ministries Pride worship — The 7 p.m. service at Broad Street United Methodist Church, 501 E Broad St., will offer worship, fellowship and communion, as well as songs of praise by a combined choir including the King Avenue singers.
June 17
Pride Party on the Plaza — View the Pride parade from Arnold Plaza at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., where there also will be food, beverages and live entertainment from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance for $15 at eventbrite.com.
Pride at The Taproom — Make your way to Sideswipe Brewing, 2419 Scioto Harper Drive, between 1 and 10 p.m. to quaff a brew and nosh on delicious Thai, Indian and South African treats from Fetty’s Street Food. Sideswipe will donate $1 of every pint sold to Stonewall Columbus.
Pride on High — Beginning at 9:30 a.m., guests can grab a spot at one of three locations to watch the Pride parade and support local LGBTQ+ organizations while enjoying food and drinks: Local Cantina, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse and Parlay Sporting Club + Kitchen. Seating is first-come, first-served, with a limited number of tables available to reserve. Tickets range from $75 to $100 depending on the location and date purchased at prideonhigh.com/ tickets.
Short North Pride Market — More than 40 local and regional vendors specializing in artisan crafts, handmade goods, vintage clothing and art will be set up at Brewdog Short North, 1175 N. High St., from noon to 6 p.m. Also, Brewdog will be pouring various locally crafted beers, and area food trucks will offer tasty eats all weekend long. Free, open to all ages, and dogs are welcome.
Columbus Pride Bar Crawl — This 21-and-older event from 4 p.m. to midnight includes free entry to participating venues (Brothers Bar & Grill, Howl at the Moon, Gaswerks, Pins Mechanical Co., Bernard’s Tavern and Union Cafe), food and drink specials, a drag show, afterparty and more. Single tickets are $25; group tickets $20 per person at crawlwith.us/columbus.
June 18
Bat-n-rouge — Home runs meet high heels at the Columbus Lesbian & Gay Softball Association’s annual charity softball game, played in drag at Dodge Park, 667 Sullivant Ave. Gates open at noon and the game starts at 3 p.m.
Food and beer trucks, music, cheerleaders and more add to the festivities at this fun-filled fundraiser. General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the gate or online at clgsa.org/bat-n-rouge. Tent spaces are available for $250, which includes parking and four admission tickets.
June 24
Granville Pride — Festivalgoers will gather at Denison University’s Lamson Lodge, 200 Washington Drive, Granville, at 4 p.m., and the parade lineup and march through the village will begin at 5 p.m. The celebration afterward will include a drag show and other live performances, food trucks, music and more. A lineup of speakers includes Granville Mayor Melissa Hartfield and the Granville High School Gay Straight Alliance.
Stonewall Columbus Pride 5K — Presented by Fleet Feet, this virtual 5K fundraiser gives participants a chance to dance, prance, run or walk their own routes or one suggested on the event website. Just put in the miles and share your results online with Stonewall Columbus. Along the way, share your photos on social media with the hashtags #Stonewallpride5k, #Pride365 and #fleetfeetcbus. Registration is $30 at stonewallcolumbus.org/pride5k.
Pelotonia Pride Tee Sale — Help Pelotonia celebrate Pride Month by picking up the nonprofit organization’s 2023 Pride T-shirt in person at 450 W. Broad St. or ordering online at shoppelotonia.org. All net proceeds from shirt sales will go to Stonewall Columbus.
bpaschal@dispatch.com