Audiences listen to performers at the first Out MOV Pride in the Park in June 2021. This year’s celebration will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on June 3 at the City Park Bandstand. (File photo)
PARKERSBURG — The Out MOV Pride in the Park LGBTQIA+ community celebration will take place June 3 from noon to 4 p.m. at the group shell.
The event will celebrate Pride Month 2023. Out MOV will host the family event, an opportunity to join in a community celebration of Pride Month, according to Liz Hamperian, President of Out MOV.
Pride in the Park first took place in 2021 at City Park.
“Out MOV invites all members of the LGBTQIA+ community, our friends, allies and family members to join us for a day of family fun and music in the park,” Hamperian said. “We are proud to organize this event and to celebrate after a difficult year for our community. At Pride in the Park, shall we focus on joy.
The day’s entertainment will be provided by local musicians. The performers are The Janes, Smokestack Betty, The Gay Agenda, Sophie Stevens, Murray Stewart-Jones and special guests. Josh Reaser will provide American Sign Language interpretation of the event.
The Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg will coordinate free art activities all day for children. Several vendors will offer their arts and crafts.
The 2023 Celebration Sponsors are: First Settlement Physical Therapy, Bolts & Quarters Quilt Shop, Lady Envy Tattoo and Holey Mother Piercing, Angela Hissam SWC Real Estate Sales Person, JonesBeat Music Studio, WestSide Sign Co., McCarter Health Center, FineLines Vienna Tees, Starbucks and Jewelry Shoppers.
Exhibitors this year are: United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg, Sisters Health Foundation, Parkersburg/Wood County Public Library, District 4 Councilwoman Wendy Tuck , ACLU-WV, Marietta College’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action, WVUP Psychology and Art Clubs, Wood County Democrats, Children’s Home Society of WV Transitional Living Program, Holler Health Justice, Unitarian Universalist Society of Marietta, Humane Society of Parkersburg, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, New Wineskins/Accidental Tomatoes, Actors Guild of Parkersburg, Circles Campaign of the MOV, Free Mom Hugs WV, You Matter Ministry, Oxford House, Fairness West Virginia, Blueprints , The MOV Health Department, EVE Inc., Coplin Health Systems and Morgantown Pride.
Lunch and snacks will be available from the food trucks. Free water will be provided by Wood County Democrats and other free drinks will be provided by Starbucks Vienna.
Out MOV promotes and supports diversity and inclusion through education, communication, and advocacy to improve the quality of life for LGBTQ+ people in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
