On June 22, the annual Cincinnati Pride Parade kicked off downtown with lots of color and balloons. Despite the heat, hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the history and identity of the LGBTQ+ community. Many large companies such as Kroger and Delta Air Lines participated in the parade, creating their own floats and inviting their employees to join the celebration.

After the parade, the crowd gathered at Sawyer Point Park to continue with the festival, which included drag shows and other performances, food trucks, a range of vendor booths and activities for everyone.

Keep scrolling to see all of the LGBTQ+ joy we spotted at this year’s Cincinnati Pride Parade and Festival.

Photos by Lydia Schembre

Spectators cheer on participants during the Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
A participant fans herself at the Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
A woman wears a Reds Pride hat at Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
Two people at the front of their float at Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
A rainbow-colored dog walks in Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
A participant walks at Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
Protesters gather outside of Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
The Kroger float at Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
A spectator cheers as floats pass at Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
A man smiles at the Pride festival on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
A participant in the parade dances around the float at Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
Spectators cheer on participants at Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
Altafiber’s float at Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
Spectators cheer on participants at Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
Spectators wrap themselves in Pride flags at the Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
Protesters gather outside of the parade at the Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
Cincinnati Cyclones hang a version of the Pride flag over the parade at Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
A man walks around at the Pride festival on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
Attendees write on a sign at the Pride festival on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
An attendee fans herself while listening to a performer at the Pride festival on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
A woman smiles at the Pride festival on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
A woman teaches CPR at the Pride festival on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre
A woman waves the pride flag at the Pride festival on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Photo: Lydia Schembre