• Pride is seeing families, friends and strangers become one family. To look around and see differences but not feel alone. Everyone from entertainment, vendors, volunteers attendees want you there to celebrate and support. How amazing is that?! Pride is knowing your family is here for you in the brightest of lights to the darkest corner. Pride is love.

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• ​Every year I cry at least once at the festival. Growing up queer in rural Ohio made me feel so alone, and so hated. But getting to see this huge group of people being loving and accepting, and knowing that the younger generation is getting in touch with their community, it is the best feeling in the world.

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• This was our first here in Ashtabula, thank you for doing what you do!!! My kids had a great time ✌️

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• Pride was there for me when my family wasn't and helped me find my voice and figure out who I am. This community has saved my life so many times and I can't begin to describe how grateful I am to be apart of it. I have been embraced and empowered by so many people at this festival, and I hope that I can give that support back to those who need it most.

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• Ellen Beitel would be so proud of everything that has been done here. She fought so hard to gain acceptance for the LGBT+ crowd and is shining down from heaven watching this beautiful celebration. It was so wonderful seeing former Leeward patron and catching up on old time. Thank goodness there has been so much positive change, thanks to devoted people like those who put this together.

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• The first time I went to Pride was the same year I came out to the public about being bisexual/pansexual. That year I dealt with a lot of difficult emotions, and Pride was a day for me to escape it all and just experience so much love! It's a feeling I have never forgotten and continue to feel with the Pride community!

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