Fremont Pride returns for second year with performers, parade, fun

Daniel Carson, Fremont News-Messenger
·3 min read
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Fremont Pride 2022 organizers from left, Jozie Hickman, Tyler Kneeskern, Stevie Keck and Nicole Russell stand with a pride flag in front of Walsh Park's fountain in Fremont. The 2nd Annual Fremont Pride Festival will be held July 9 at Walsh Park from 12 to 9 p.m., with a parade preceding the festival at 11 a.m. on S. Front Street in downtown Fremont.

FREMONT — Jason Eberle has lived in Palm Springs, Calif., for about 10 years.

He grew up in Fremont and graduated from Fremont Ross High School in 1990

Eberle, whose stage name is Jayla D. Foxx, will be one of dozens of performers at the Fremont Pride 2022, which will run July 9 from 12 to 9 p.m. at Walsh Park.

He's lived and performed all over the United States as a drag queen.

When he heard his hometown was holding a Pride festival, Eberle said he wanted to be a part of a local festival that promotes and honors the LGBTQ community.

"I said, 'I have to be a part of this event,'" Eberle said.

Fremont Pride 2022 includes a parade through downtown Fremont at 11 a.m. and then a full day of performers, speakers and family-friendly activities.

Eberle will be one of roughly 45 performers, rain or shine, that will perform on stage at the event.

Stevie Keck, main organizer of the event, said the Fremont Pride 2021 festival drew 2,000 community members.

Keck said last year festival's drew 40 performers and 40 vendors.

"We're really hoping to expand by 50%," Keck said, adding, "We'd love to see 3,000 people."

Keck said event organizers were really proud to provide representation and a welcoming community atmosphere for the area's LGBTQ community.

Jozie Hickman, coordinator of Fremont Pride's parade, said the parade will start at Front and State Streets and run to Rodger Young Park.

Hickman said 15 groups had signed up as of Monday to be in the parade.

There will be an after party event starting at 10 p.m. at Da Love Pitt on W. State Street, Hickman said.

Keck said there will be performers coming to the Fremont Pride festival from as far away as  Columbus, New York City and California.

There will be about 45 drag queen acts on the festival's main stage, with most acts performing five-minute sets.

Keck said there will also be a live music band from New York City and a hip hip act from Columbus performing at the event.

The community has been very generous in supporting Fremont Pride, which debuted in 2021, Keck said.

Nicole Russell, Fremont Pride's treasurer, said there will be a sensory-free zone at the event for families with neuro-divergent children.

Keck said there will be games, face painting and kids' activities, with 30 vendors and six food trucks for guests.

Jason Eberle, aka Jayla D. Foxx, will be one of about 45 performers at the 2022 Fremont Pride festival, which takes place July 9 at Walsh Park. Eberle graduated from Fremont Ross High School in 1990 and lives in Palm Springs, Calif.
Jason Eberle, aka Jayla D. Foxx, will be one of about 45 performers at the 2022 Fremont Pride festival, which takes place July 9 at Walsh Park. Eberle graduated from Fremont Ross High School in 1990 and lives in Palm Springs, Calif.

There will be two entrances into Walsh Park for Fremont Pride, with one at the park's main entrance and the other from the adjacent bike trail.

Keck said visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs to the event.

Admission to the event is $5 for guests 12 and older.

Guests under 12 will be admitted free.

More information on the event can be found at facebook.com/FremontOhioPride.

Eberle said

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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Fremont Pride returns for second year at Walsh Park