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Neva Hammond was part of a group that was giving “mom hugs” to people Saturday at the 2025 Parkersburg PrideFest. The group was giving support to local LGBTQ individuals to let them know they are loved and supported. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
PARKERSBURG — People being who they are and choosing who they love was the focus of the 2025 Parkersburg PrideFest held Saturday afternoon at Parkersburg City Park.
People gathered at the park for an afternoon of music, food, fun and more as the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community and their allies, friends and family members came together to celebrate who they are at the eighth annual event (the seventh in person due to COVID).
“The crowd just gets bigger and bigger,” said Parkersburg Pride President Jamie Lee McCormick. “The day is about love, visibility, community, joy and more.
“Whether it is your first Pride or your 50th Pride, you belong here. People want to celebrate who they are and have a safe place where people can feel welcome.”
Around 75 vendors filled the park around the bandshell where music acts performed including a number of drag queens. Vendors included Rainbow Ravers, Good Grief Tie Dyes, Chemours, DHL, The Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg, Fairness West Virginia, the Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley, the American Red Cross of the Ohio River Valley, Westbrook Health Services, Planned Parenthood and more. There were a couple of local churches represented.
Drag Queen Madison S. Monroe takes a donation from a person at the Parkersburg City Park Bandshell on Saturday during the 2025 Parkersburg PrideFest. The festival was a celebration of the local LGBTQ community, their friends and allies. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
“I grew up here and it was not easy,” McCormick said. “To be able to build something like this and be involved with something like this where we have a big committee and a lot of sponsors.
“I want to build this safe space for people. I didn’t have this growing up so to be able to build it, it is awesome.”
McCormick said the LGBTQ community is not really acknowledged here by some elected officials.
“I think they are excluding a community that gives back, and we have disposable income, and I feel like they are excluding a community that could add value to this community. Just look at how many people are here.”
McCormick estimated they had over 1,000 people at the park on Saturday.
The Janes perform Saturday at the Parkersburg City Park Bandshell during the 2025 Parkersburg Pridefest. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
“We are here and we are not going anywhere,” he said. “Just to be visible here is awesome.”
Isabelle Moore, executive director of the Wood County Women’s Rights Alliance, said they wanted to come out and support their allies in the LGBTQ community.
The group was started locally back in November following the election. The organization does a number of events and does Period Pantries around the area where they provide feminine products to those who need them.
“We want to show we are allies as feminism includes everybody,” Moore said.
Angela Graves of Parkersburg was part of a group who was giving out “Mom Hugs” to those in attendance.
“Blake” of Williamstown with Charlie takes in the sights and sounds during the 2025 Parkersburg PrideFest held Saturday at Parkersburg City Park. The festival was a celebration of the local LGBTQ community, their friends and allies who came together for a day of music, food and fun. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
“We want everyone to know that they are loved and accepted, even if it is not by their own parents,” she said.
“Blake” of Williamstown is part of the LGBTQ community and was impressed by the turnout at City Park Saturday.
“I came out to support my community and all the people in the LGBTQ community,” she said. “I think it is easy to breed fear when you don’t know.”
Getting to know people helps overcome that fear, Blake said.
“There is probably someone you like or love in your life who is a part of the LGBTQ community,” she said. “Being open to just hearing about it can help reduce that fear.”
Professor Bubbles entertains crowds Saturday during the 2025 PrideFest held at Parkersburg City Park creating giant bubbles to the delight of those in attendance. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
Authur Rose of Charleston came out with his husband to be part of the festival and support those like themselves as well as show younger people it is okay to be who they are. He said they enjoyed the coming together of so many different people.
“I came from a rural community and I was so confused that I didn’t know where I was going,” he said of when he was young.. If there was someone there for me, I might not have had a rough life.
“No matter where we come from, we are all human so be kind.”
Brett Dunlap can be reached at [email protected]
Isabelle Moore, executive director of the Wood County Women’s Rights Alliance interacts with people at her booth Saturday during the 2025 Parkersburg PrideFest. There were around 75 vendors who attended the festival including many advocacy groups, community organizations and local businesses. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
Arthur Rose of Charleston enjoys dancing and moving to the music at the Parkersburg City Park Bandshell Saturday during the 2025 Parkersburg PrideFest. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
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