Pride Fest ’23 celebrates inclusivity, promotes acceptance

by Melissa Martin

Sunny skies, no major mishaps and a supportive crowd were all organizers of the inaugural Brecksville-Broadview Heights Pride Fest were hoping for in the hours leading up to the June 10 event.

What transpired, however, exceeded their wildest expectations, said Jennifer Speer, co-founder of BBH Pride.

“Through working with so many wonderful LGBTQ allies, organizations and businesses, we were able to further our mission to promote awareness, instill acceptance, promote inclusiveness and foster a welcoming Brecksville and Broadview Heights community for all,” Speer said. “For that, and for the overwhelmingly positive turnout and support we felt for our event, we are truly thankful.”

More than 600 attendees of all ages gathered at the BBH Middle School for the five-hour event. The majority of attendees hailed from the Brecksville and Broadview Heights communities, but others traveled from all parts of Northeast Ohio, including Mahoning and Lorain counties, plus Franklin County. A group from Lansing, Michigan also attended, as did an individual from London, England, who was visiting a relative.

“I went to BBH High School, and I wish they would have had this when I was there,” said Chris Engle, 45. “I never thought I would see this in my hometown, in my lifetime – but here we are.”

In addition to four food trucks, participants in the BBH Pride Fest included organizations such as the Lawrence School, Tilth Soil, Parma Veterans LGBTQ Crisis Prevention, RTA Community Watch, Cleveland Water, Kent State University’s College of Public Health, TransOhio, Maple Crest Farm, GLSEN, PFLAG and more. Those organizations provided educational material and passed out literature, stickers, trinkets and more.

Vendors included Katy Clark Art, Studio 108, Zillas Shirt Shop, Susie’s Confections, Firewood Spa, Cleveland Henna, Fairway Mortgage, Opal Rose Creative, Happy Bear Honey. Entertainment was provided by the Cleveland Pride Band, Josh the DJ and  the Creative Movement Center.

“BBH Pride was truly a great experience,” said Kevin Spring, owner of The San Diego Taco Factory, one of the food vendors. “We are well-experienced, veteran festival vendors and this event was absolutely perfect. It was executed flawlessly. We were offered assistance by staff and volunteers from BBH Pride, who were kind and genuinely had everyone’s best interest at heart. We look forward to growing with this event in the years to come.”

Lena Brown, owner of Betty’s Bombass Burgers Food Truck, echoed Spring’s sentiments.

“These smaller community Pride Fests can do so much good. We really love to be involved with them,” Brown said. “We were happy to be part of it and can’t wait to be back next year.”

The event also featured activities for young and old, including raffles with prizes every half hour, a cornhole contest, art projects, a selfie station, rock painting, a karaoke booth, chalk drawing, yoga and shady areas perfect for picnicking and watching the festivities.

Speer said BBH Pride will donate 10 percent of the proceeds from the sale of BBH Pride merchandise at the event to the Northeast Ohio chapter of The Trevor Project.

The mission of Brecksville-Broadview Heights PRIDE is to promote inclusiveness and awareness of LGBTQ+ issues through education, activities, events and outreach and foster a welcoming community for residents and those who may consider making Brecksville or Broadview Heights their home. ∞

Several vendors were on hand throughout the five-hour event, in addition to food trucks and an ice cream truck.
Pets of all kinds were welcome at the event, including dogs and this bearded dragon.
The Rev. John King, pastor of Brecksville United Church of Christ, was instrumental in making the event come together, as was his team of volunteers, which consisted of several members of his congregation. Photos submitted.

Main photo: Organizers for the inaugural BBH Pride Fest worked with several volunteers to help create a safe, family environment for more than 600 guests who patronized the event June 10. Photo submitted.