Small Town Pride returns to Celina Saturday

CELINA — Small Town Pride will return to Celina this weekend with an afternoon of entertainment, games, vendors and family activities.

The event will be held Saturday, October 17, from noon until 7 p.m. at Lakeshore Park.

“We’ve got a pretty good lineup of things this year,” organizer Kyle Bruce said.

Activities will include games provided by Dreadfully Good Games, face painting, live performances, food, drinks and a variety of vendors.

A costume contest sponsored by Lunar Leaf will begin at 2:30 p.m. The contest is open to two age groups: participants 17 and younger and adults 18 and older. Online registration remains open through Friday, October 16.

Press Release:

Celina, Ohio - Small Town Pride will return to Lakeshore Park on Saturday, October 17, for its annual community festival featuring live music, food, games, speakers, vendors, and a costume contest. The festival will run from noon to 7 p.m. Previously held during the summer, organizers moved this year’s festival to October because of scheduling conflicts and to take advantage of cooler fall weather. The change has also given organizers an opportunity to add some seasonal fun to this year’s event. New for 2026 will be a costume contest sponsored by Lunar Leaf of St. Marys, bringing a Halloween-inspired addition to the festival.

“Although the summer schedule didn’t work out this year, moving to October has given us an opportunity to do something a little different,” organizer Elly Bruce said. “We’re excited to bring people together for a fun fall day at the lake, and the costume contest is a great addition. We want people to come out, enjoy themselves, and feel welcome.”

Live entertainment throughout the day will include performances by Lauren Jean and Trevor Howe, along with speakers and other activities. The festival will also continue one of Small Town Pride’s longtime traditions with its annual march from Lakeshore Park to the Mercer County Courthouse later in the day. The march has been part of the Celina Pride celebration since the organization’s very first year. Additionally, festival goers can expect vendors providing face painting, permanent jewelry, festive cookies, pride merch, and more.

Small Town Pride was founded in Celina in 2020 after what began as a local Pride march quickly grew into an annual festival. Over the years, the event has brought together residents and visitors for music, food, entertainment, vendors, speakers, and opportunities to support the local LGBTQ+ community.

For co-founder Kyle Bruce, the purpose behind the event remains much the same as when Small Town Pride began.

“When we started Small Town Pride in 2020, the goal was to create a space here in our own hometown where people could show up as themselves and know they belonged,” Bruce said. “Six years later, that is still at the heart of what we do. Pride is about celebrating who we are, but it is also about community. We want this to be a day where people can come together, have fun, support one another, and see that there is a place for them here.”

The festival also provides Small Town Pride an opportunity to give back through the presentation of a community scholarship. The scholarship program has been part of the organization’s efforts to support young people and make a lasting impact beyond the annual festival.

Organizers say the move to October does not change the spirit of the event. Instead, they hope the cooler weather, fall atmosphere, and new activities will give both longtime attendees and newcomers another reason to spend the day at Lakeshore Park.

Festival activities are scheduled from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, at Lakeshore Park in Celina. Additional information and event updates are available at CelinaPride.org and on Facebook at Small Town Pride - Celina.

Additional information and event updates are available through the Small Town Pride-Celina Facebook page.