BRECKSVILLE, Ohio -- Saturday, June 10, was a day to remember as Brecksville and Broadview Heights hosted their first BBH Pride Fest.
And what a joyous fest it was. LGBTQ+ organizations, vendors, food trucks and several local churches were on hand to show their support. Lots of interesting and fun people, including families and students, enjoyed the festivities.
Almost everyone was wearing some sort of rainbow attire, including me, my friend and, of course, my dog, Ellie.
My “Reverend with Pride” shirt was given to me by a lovely female couple I married a few weeks ago. Besides being a columnist, I am also an ordained non-denominational minister who is happy to marry any couple who love each other.
As the saying goes -- love is love.
Columnist Shirley MacFarland, aka Rev. Shirley, showed off her Reverend with PRIDE shirt at the BBH Pride Fest. With her is her dog, Ellie. (Shirley MacFarland, special to cleveland.com)
It was a perfect summer day for this joyous event, held on the grounds of Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School in Broadview Heights.
The event, which is intended to be held annually, will further the mission of BBH Pride to establish their communities as welcoming, supportive and inclusive to LGBTQ+ individuals.
Rainbows were a family affair at the BBH Pride Fest. (Shirley MacFarland, special to cleveland.com)
It was truly a family-friendly outdoor celebration, with residents enjoying fellowship with their neighbors and others who attended. You could feel the excitement as soon as you walked into the festival and were greeted by super-friendly volunteers.
BBH Pride Fest 2023 was generously sponsored by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and RE/MAX Edge, with special appearances by Cleveland Guardians Baseball and The Cleveland Pride Marching Band.
Entertainment and activities included dance performances, yoga, theater performances, a photo booth, arts and crafts vendors and a cornhole tournament. Several food trucks offered burgers, ice cream and sno-cones.
It was incredible and energizing to mingle with so many openminded, loving people. It made me proud to be a part of the community in which I live.
BBH Pride was formed in 2021. The group consists of more than 200 residents, community and religious leaders, and operates via a Task Force of 20 members.
The mission of Brecksville-Broadview Heights Pride is -- through education, activities, events and outreach -- to promote understanding, inclusiveness and awareness of LGBTQ+ issues, and to foster a welcoming community for residents and those who may consider making Brecksville or Broadview Heights their home.
Become an BBH Pride ally and help educate, inform, counsel, aid and welcome our LGBTQ+ members of the community. Are you a member of the LGBTQ community and want to meet your allies? BBH Pride is here for you and wants to offer you resources, friendship and support.
For more information, visit the organization’s website: www.bbhpride.org, Twitter: @BBHPrideOH or Instagram: @BBHPrideOrg.
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