Dear Ashtabula Pride Community,
After much thought and consideration, it is with a heavy heart that I must announce Ashtabula Pride will not be hosting our large festival in 2026. This decision was not made lightly. Several factors have contributed, most notably that we simply do not have the physical support or financial backing necessary to create a festival of this magnitude and ensure its success. Pride means the world to me, and I have always been a loud and fierce advocate, but this is a task far too large for only a few dedicated individuals to take on alone.
However, our spirit remains strong, and Ashtabula Pride will continue to be present in our community in 2026 with a series of smaller pop-up events. We are excited to continue the Syinjin Memorial Art Show, celebrating talent in many forms. We are also planning a couple of special “queer cabarets” at our local theaters and will proudly continue to honor my dear friend Bill DayWalt through the Bill DayWalt Memorial Scholarship.
2026 will be a time to rebuild our foundation, connect with more passionate individuals, and strengthen our community. Our goal is to come back even stronger, with hopes of making Pride 2027 truly unforgettable.
I am truly sorry to those who are disappointed by this news. Please know that we remain committed to celebrating, supporting, and uplifting our LGBTQ+ community. We will rise up strong, and Pride will continue on.
With love and gratitude,
Ashtabula Pride Inc
See you in 2027 for the Ashtabula Pride Festival!
With a new location, better parking and walking access, and lots of goals to hit for the year, our vendor spaces for 2026 will open soon!
We need you! Join our amazing group of volunteers and help out on the big day. We have a variety of areas that need some additional help, just fill out the above form and we will get in touch with you to find the perfect volunteer position for you! Don’t worry, you will still get to enjoy the festival!
As we set our new and exciting new location into action, all new entertainment goals and decisions are in the works. We will open up applications to join the team soon.
You are not alone
Now, more than ever, we want everyone within our community to know they are not alone. We here at Ashtabula Pride stand with you, and we are a safe space for all. We see you. We hear you. We value you. You are valid and loved! We will stand by you and together we will grow, we will overcome and we will prevail because Love…is Love.
