Attend Mansfield Pride on Saturday, August 7.It’s just a family-oriented place for everyone to have a good time, be themselves and be together without facing any judgment for who they are.” “We’re hoping to have the same or maybe even more this year. “Two years ago, we had an estimated 4,000 people come out to Mansfield Pride,” Denis said. The parade’s grand marshals are Ramirez’s nephew, Ricky Campbell, and Rice’s mother, Karen Rice. Additionally, two drag shows and a live band are scheduled for entertainment.ĭespite the loss of Ramirez and Rice, their memories will be prominent throughout the weekend. As of late last week, 38 were planning to attend, including one of the artists from Otherworld, the immersive art experience in Columbus.
This year, there are just over 30 entrants with 15 first-time participants.īarone, who’s in charge of vendors, said she would have been happy with 25 vendors. Two years ago, 35 groups entered the Mansfield Pride Parade. This year, we celebrate the 39th Year of PRIDE in Columbus. Only 200 people were in attendance, and some even wore bags over their heads to conceal their identities. “We’re trying to preserve as much of Pride as we can without overextending ourselves.” Saturday, JParade Step Off 10:30 AM at Poplar & High in the Short North Arts District The first Pride march in Columbus, Ohio was held in June 1981. That way if something happens, any one of us can pick it up and continue,” Denis said. “Everyone knows what each of us is doing. Transparency has been an important attribute as the board has pushed forward in planning the seventh annual Mansfield Pride Parade and Festival. We will win or lose as a team.”īarone said board members all work well together, but most importantly, they listen to one another. But I don’t want anyone to feel overwhelmed. “We have an awesome board and a great team. “One thing is that we are all going through this together,” Denis said. Two other former board members rejoined the local nonprofit board. In early May, after Rice’s replacement resigned for personal reasons, Tim Denis stepped into the president’s role with support of the board, and Sheila Barone was voted in as vice president. Mike DeWine announced that fairs and festivals would be permitted in Ohio, the board got to work. Rice used his leadership to not only grow the event, but also start other local LGBTQ+ events, such as Meet and Greets on the second Tuesday of each month and a book club.Īs soon as Gov. Rice moved from Michigan to Mansfield in 2017, soon becoming president of the Mansfield Gay Pride Association.