Warren’s Pride in the Valley includes parade, entertainment and 130 vendors
.jpg "Warren’s Courthouse Square is set to close at 5:30 p.m. on Friday as volunteers and organizers set up tables and tents for the festival.")
Organizers of the sixth annual Full Spectrum Pride in the Valley have added more vendors and kept the same formula that’s worked the past five years for the festival in Warren.
Full Spectrum Pride in the Valley starts at noon on June 21 at Courthouse Square in Warren, with a get-together at 8 p.m. on June 20 at Modern Methods to kick off the weekend.
Tim Bortner is finalizing last-minute details with volunteers, like checking in with vendors and making sure the Grand Marshal of the parade has an appropriately colorful rainbow sash to wear.
Bortner is the president and an original founder of Full Spectrum Community Outreach in Youngstown.
“It runs itself,” he said. “Last year, we only had 100 vendors. This year, we’re up to almost 130 because each of the sponsors have a vendor space as well. We’ll have a bit more entertainment, different types of entertainment we’re doing this year.”
The festival starts at 12:30 p.m. after the parade concludes.
“It’s very important to show community right now, because our community is being hit in every way possible, especially the trans community,” Bortner said. “We’re showing support to those people that are scared and showing them that we’re here and we’re not going anywhere. Full Spectrum is not going anywhere, Pride’s not going anywhere. We’re gonna be there fighting for the younger generations, too.”
Black Wolf and the Thief are performing at 6:30 p.m., followed by a local drag extravaganza at 8 p.m. hosted by Kitty Katastrophe.
“We have a beer garden this year sponsored by Penguin city absolute and DOPE city winery; they’ve done it every year, so that’s going to be there,” Bortner said. “We have a big family area with bounce houses that are free. There’s games, there’s tons of food and different kinds like a couple vegetarian options for people that are vegetarian.”
Bortner said he wants people to know that festival security is top priority for him and fellow organizers.
“We have private security and the Warren Police Department, as well as queer greeters through Queer Action Network,” he said. “They will be doing de-escalation and making sure that people have someone to walk them to their car. If someone doesn’t feel comfortable coming into the festival, they’re there on the sidelines to make sure they feel comfortable. We have a lot of procedures in place to make sure everyone is safe and tons of volunteers.”
This story was originally published June 19, 2025 at 11:44 AM.
