Pride fest reveals parade marshals

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Pride Youngstown has announced the grand marshals and entertainers for the fifth annual Pride festival and parade Friday and Saturday on Central Square, downtown. Ten couples will exchange vows in a public commitment ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday on Central Square.

Grand marshals of the parade will be Toni and Stephen Schildcrout, early members of the Youngstown chapter of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), the oldest gay-allied organization in the Mahoning Valley. The theme of the parade is “Embracing Diversity,” which encourages showing appreciation and respect for the differences among people.

Festival performers include Miss Ava Rose, Craig Conrad, Danyel Vasquez, Big Ginge and the Nobodies, Tipsey Terri, Skyler Styles, Lisa Burley, Sterling Anderson and Nikita Jones. Also performing will be Alex Costellanos, Rob Caleb, YOUnify Theatre Company (LGBT youth theater), Paris Soliz, Katrina Turner, Farrah Fawn, Barfly Baby, Sinthia Forenza, Frenchie Fox, Trinity DeVine, Lola Van Horn, Crystal Starr, Tasha Michaels, Mackenzie Chrystal Rose, the Bella Syn Burlesque Troupe and the DJ crew of Disturbed Passions. In addition, there will be a puppet show, face painting, chalk drawing and other family-friendly entertainment.

Festival hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. Go to prideyoungstown.org for information.