'Embracing everybody and everything'

SANDUSKY — Sandusky Pride brought community members together to celebrate their identities. The sixth-annual event was hosted Friday and Saturday in downtown Sandusky. The event involved various vendors as well as performances from local drag performers and bands PVRIS and Hooked Like Helen. Among the attendees were Kayley Tatta, Alyssa Quintanilla and Beth Harrison. Pride is about "being welcomed by everyone," Tatta said. Quintanilla agreed, believing that pride is about "being free." Their sentiment about the event is also shared by Sandusky Pride head organizer Robin Lloyd. "Pride, to me, is embracing everybody and everything," Lloyd said. "That's what pride is, loving life, loving the humans that are with you and standing together." The drag performers reflected Lloyd's meaning of the event through their time on stage. Precious Vayne performed a rendition of "This is Me" from "The Greatest Showman" soundtrack while Stevie Phoenix wore a t-shirt with a variety of hashtags written on it including #ProtectTransKids. The hashtag was created in response to anti-transgender legislation across the country. Sandusky Pride's parade took place at noon Saturday, with numerous businesses and organizations participating, and people gathered along the route to watch and celebrate. "The parade is always one of my favorite parts of pride," festivalgoer Brianna Walter said. "It's so to see all the people who participate." After the parade, the crowd moved to Jackson Street Pier, where the festival continued with drag all-star performances from Amber Stone, Adonis, Dylan West, Bleu Eclipse, Darling Jackson, Nika Fierce, CeCe Jane, Jade Moodstone, Myrtle and Ethyl Barbiecrotch, Levi Austin and London Asia. Numerous vendors lined up at Jackson Street Pier, with booths seeing an array of items including pride-themed clothing and accessories, candles, flags and more. The festival also welcomed multiple musical guests including the bands Reckless Highway, Mentally Distrakted, Ancient Elephant and Seeing Scarlet. "We are just excited to be here and to see everyone who came out to celebrate pride," event attendee Ethan Ross said.