Drag queen Sasha Chanel Soule took the stage in a red, sparkling leotard and purple boots. She performed high kicks and splits to a remix of Nancy Sinatra’s “These boots are made for walkin’” in celebration of the first Dayton Black Pride event.
Community members in West Dayton came together to put on the first Dayton Black Pride Festival Saturday in McIntosh Park.
The festival featured a long lineup of performers. There were also 30 booths set up for local vendors and LGBTQ groups, like Have A Gay Day. Health groups like Equitas Health and the Montgomery County Health Department were offering free COVID-19 vaccines and HIV testing.
Organizer Chris Goodwine said the festival took a little over a month to put together. She has lived in Dayton for more than 25 years, and says she has seen festivals in towns like Huber Heights and even downtown Dayton.
She is happy to finally see an event like this come together in West Dayton.
“We have grown and we have found our way, that we are here to show them that it's okay for you to be surrounded by people like you,” Goodwine said. “We also want them to know, like our community accepts us.”
Despite some light showers earlier in the afternoon, Goodwine said their turnout was better than expected.
