Pride and acceptance: LGBTQ community to gather in Ashland for parade, music and fun
ASHLAND − "Everybody has the right to be who they are."
That's the idea, according to organizers, behind Ashland Pride Inc.'s Pride at Water's Edge celebration planned for noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. The event will be preceded by a sidewalk parade downtown at 10:30 a.m.
The organization's inaugural debut last year was a parade only.
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This year's occasion adds an ambitious array of activities at Water's Edge — vendors, live music and entertainment; and a play area for kids with hula hoops, bubbles, crafts and games. Two hundred to 1,000 people are expected.
Jasmyn La Basha will serve as host and Jay Fox of Mix 106.1 will deejay for the three Pride shows to be held at the event center.
An after-party for adults only will be held at Riley's at 7 p.m., said one of the organizers, Veronika de Salgado, interim secretary and communications coordinator.
"The whole idea is to promote equality, acceptance, love, understanding and education," de Salgado said, for the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer, intersex and asexual) community.
"Where there is no knowledge of a thing, there is fear about that thing," she continued.
The nonprofit Ashland Pride Inc. "is there to educate and encourage" and to promote equality, she said.
To allay community concerns of a "drag show" during the afternoon schedule, she said, the activities at Water's Edge will be "completely family-friendly."
The music to be performed has been "scoured," she said, for general public consumption.
The Water's Edge entertainment will encompass people dressed up in "fancy costumes," she said, elaborating, "no nudity … no innuendo. It's a pride show."
A speaker from Love On A Mission is planned; and personal experience stories are also being sought.
At the after-party, "people have to show an ID to get in," de Salgado said.
The part of the event being held at Riley's "is not for kids," she said, adding, "Because of concern in the community we will have security at the event."
The bar will be closed, and no alcohol will be permitted to be brought in.
Ashland Pride event moved from city-owned Brookside to Water's Edge
Saturday's event was moved from its original location at Brookside Park and the Guy C. Myers Memorial Band Shell to Water's Edge, 170 Summerset Drive,
The relocation stems from specific regulations, in part related to political activity, in place for the Band Shell when it was donated to the community, according to information provided by Mayor Matt Miller.
The Ashland Pride organization can rent a pavilion for a picnic, as have both the Democratic and Republican parties, but the Pride group was not permitted to use the Band Shell for its activities, according to Miller.
De Salgado said the city was helpful in suggesting other options.
Water's Edge "is perfect for what we want to do," de Salgado said.
The schedule of events at Water's Edge, she stressed, is "about a fun day in the sun."
De Salgado said the organization is expecting "many straight families to attend with their kids."
"We are not there to convert people," she said. "That's a huge misconception (that) queer people want to convert straight people."
While she welcomes people who disagree with the organization to attend and be educated, she doesn't want people to be there for the purpose of protesting or being negative. That would only "reflect poorly" on them, she said.
"I would hope that people would be kind," she said. "So many people have to hide because of family or friends' beliefs."
"I'm hopeful a lot of people will come to be happy and have a good day," de Salgado said.
Haley Newhouse said the festivities are meant "to brighten their day and make their lives a little better (with) a space to celebrate. We're doing it for people who need a safe place."
De Salgado noted that anybody who wants to be in the parade and who supports the message is welcome to participate.
Newhouse said, "It's a scary climate," with "a lot of adversity. I hope people come out and celebrate. We're for love, not hate."
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland Pride Inc.'s Pride at Water's Edge celebration coming Saturday
