Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and March highlight LGBTQ Pride events in Columbus
June is Pride Month and marks the time to celebrate LGBTQ people, culture and history.
After two years of canceled or virtual events, there's a lot happening in Franklin County to commemorate the occasion. From festivals and drag shows to softball games and fundraisers, there are many ways to get in the spirit.
The highlights for many locals are the Stonewall Columbus Pride March and Festival, which is one of the largest in the Midwest. While the festival was canceled the past two years due to the COVID pandemic, the march was broadcast virtually in 2021.
This year marks the 41st anniversary of Stonewall Pride celebrations, and there's an expectation that 700,000 people will participate in the in-person festivities.
When will the Stonewall Columbus Pride March and Festival take place?
Stonewall's Pride festival starts June 17 at 4 p.m. at Goodale Park and continues the next day at 11 a.m. The Pride march kicks off June 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Broad and South High streets.
And that's just the beginning of a month full of Pride celebrations. Here is a sampling of what else the area has to offer.
Pride month is filled throughout the Columbus area
June 3
Bexley Pride Walk, 5:30 p.m., Capital Lawn, Capital University. Bexley welcomes all to its first annual Pride walk. Attendees will meet at Capital University's Capital Lawn across the street from Graeter's Ice Cream. After the walk, there will be raffles, food trucks and more.
June 5
Worthington's Rainbow Love, noon-6 p.m., Worthington Village Green, 951 High St. Celebrate diversity and love while learning from LGBTQ organizations, buying from local vendors and enjoying musical performances by the Columbus Pride Band.
Upper Arlington Pride, 1-5 p.m., Mallway Park, 2096 Arlington Ave. Upper Arlington's second annual pride celebration will feature raffles, drag performances, marching bands and even prizes for the best dressed pets! View the full schedule online at rainbowua.org/pride-2022.
June 8-9
Homedog Resort & Daycare Pet Pride Photoshoot Fundraiser, 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m., 561 Short St. Homedog is offering pride-themed photo shoots for pets at $7 per photo. Proceeds go toward Stonewall Columbus. Guests can register online at homedogresort.com; others can email info@homedogresort.com to schedule a photoshoot. Photoshoots also will take place June 12 from 4-6 p.m. during a Pride party.
June 9
Homage Pride Happy Hour, 3 -6 p.m., Homage Short North, 783 N. High St. Stop by for an evening filled with brews from Land-Grant Brewing Company. Those who sign up for Stonewall membership receive a 20% discount on items storewide.
June 11
Westerville Pride, 9 a.m.-noon, Westerville City Hall, 21 S. State St. The Westerville Queer Collective welcomes all to its second annual pride event in partnership with the Westerville Farmers Market. Enjoy performances from theater students and local drag queens and kings.
Central Ohio Reconciling Ministries Pride Festival, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Bethel International United Methodist Church, 1220 Bethel Road. Join an inclusive celebration featuring music, food, games and worship.
Hilliard Pride, noon-3 p.m., Hilliard's Station Park, 4021 Main St, Hilliard. Rainbow Hilliard welcomes LGBTQ people and allies to its second annual Pride celebration.
June 12
Dublin Pride Walk, 8:30 p.m., 6635 Riverside Dr. Visit Dublin to participate in the annual Pride walk across the Dublin Link Bridge.
June 13
Lincoln Social Rooftop Pride Pre-Game Party, 6-10 p.m., 711 N. High Street, ninth floor. Lincoln Social Rooftop partnered with Watershed Distillery and host Anisa Love for a night full of drag performance, cocktails and appetizers. Tickets are $50 and a portion of proceeds goes towards Stonewall Columbus. Reserve online at lincolnsocialrooftop.com.
June 17-18
Stonewall Pride Festival, 4-10 p.m. June 17; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. June 18, Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St. Stonewall Columbus has served central Ohio's LGBTQ community for more than 40 years. The annual Pride march and festivals are back in-person for 2022. The festival will feature musical performances, community resources and more than 200 local and corporate vendors.
June 18
Stonewall Pride March, 10 a.m. at Broad and High streets. Celebrate the 41st anniversary of the Stonewall Pride March with vendors, nonprofit organizations and members of the Columbus community. Community members can register to walk in the parade online at stonewallcolumbus.org/pride/march.
Pride on High, 10 a.m., locations vary. Gather a crew and pick the prime parade viewing spot with Pride on High. During the Stonewall Pride March, guests can reserve spaces at Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse, Local Cantina or Parlay Sporting Club & Kitchen to enjoy the show and support local LGBTQ organizations. Tickets are $50-$100 depending on the location and can be purchased online at prideonhigh.com.
Sideswipe Brewing Pride Fundraiser, 1-11 p.m., 2415 Scioto Harper Dr. Stop by Sideswipe Brewing and grab a glass of beer or buy a limited-edition T-shirt. For every pint sold, $1 will be donated to Stonewall Columbus.
June 19
Bat-N-Rouge, 2 p.m., Dodge Park, 667 Sullivant Ave. Columbus Lesbian Gay Softball Association is one of the largest softball associations in the area. Enjoy food trucks and drinks as you watch softball players become drag queens at this charity softball game. General admission tickets are $10 and tickets to reserve tents are $250. All funds raised go toward the softball league and local nonprofits. Purchase tickets online at clgsa.com.
June 26
Queer Climbing Columbus Community Pride Event, 3-8 p.m., Nocterra Brewing Company, 41 Depot St., Powell. Enjoy a family-friendly Pride celebration and take part in a silent auction and raffle. Donate outdoor gear to the group's gear collection, or socialize with other LGBTQ climbers and outdoor enthusiasts. Funds raised supports education, gym admissions and the queer outdoor community.
Continuing through June 30
Stonewall Pride 5K. With this virtual fundraiser, runners pick their gear, the route and their own pace to support Stonewall Columbus' community work. Register online at stonewallcolumbus.org/pride/pride5k.
Stonewall Pride Ride Challenge with Pelotonia. Take on the challenge to ride a bike with pride. Take to social media for a chance to win prizes throughout the month. Sign up online at pelotonia.org/pride.
@ZariaJohnson24
zjohnson@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Pride Month: Your guide to events, celebrations in Columbus area
