Hundreds 'party' at 11th Youngstown gay pride festival

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Pride Festival is a “party with a purpose,” said Anita Davis, Youngs-town’s 6th Ward councilwoman.

The purpose is to bring together diverse people and break down animosity, said Davis, a retired Youngstown police officer and one of the founders of the event along with Atty. Kim Akins, a Youngstown city prosecutor, and Carlos Rivera, a Youngstown police officer, and chairman of the 2019 event.

Despite dicey weather, the 11th edition of the festival Saturday had attracted an estimated 1,000 to 1,200 people by 5 p.m., officials said. The festival kicked off with a parade at noon and ended at 9 p.m.

“We have a lot of people here from all walks of life,” said Davis.

Read the full story Sunday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.