Cincinnati Pride is preparing for what promises to be its largest festival to date, with expectations of over 300,000 attendees. As the city embraces the start of Pride Month, organizers are actively seeking hundreds of volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly.

Community Involvement

Volunteer Engagement Director Cait Leslie emphasized the importance of community participation, stating, “Give some time, give some positive energy. Even just giving smiles to people passing by, if you’re helping as a parade marshal or handing out waters, you’re sharing your energy with the community.” The call for volunteers comes amid a broader shift in funding strategies for many LGBTQ+ organizations nationwide, as they move away from corporate sponsorships in favor of community-sourced funding.

Shift to Community-Based Model

Last year, Cincinnati Pride cut ties with sponsors that no longer aligned with their mission, opting instead for a community-based model. This shift has seen the city rally in support of the festival. Jeremy Jay Phillippi, president of Cincinnati Pride, noted, “We are focusing this year on doing community fundraising to help fill some of those gaps and move away from being sponsored by corporations, truly bringing in our community for a festival by the community.”

Focus on Accessibility

This year’s festival also places a strong emphasis on accessibility, with improvements such as handicapped restrooms and accessible cool-down spaces. The event kicks off on June 27, and those interested in volunteering can find more information on the organization’s website.

Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.