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The festival received a proclamation from the Town of Denton that claimed June 1 as Pride Day. It said, in part, that Caroline County is a place that strives for inclusion and welcomes everybody.

The motto of the festival was “Diversity Creates Community.�

Angel Perez, the founder of the festival, said, “Pride represents an opportunity to raise awareness about diversity, inclusion and respect and the importance of a society based in equity. Pride Month reminds us we need to continue to fight for our rights to be included, to feel welcome and be respected as a human being.�

After marking the significance of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which many see as the beginning of LGBTQ+ movement, he continued.

“We need to continue to educate our community, because a community where there are no labels, where each person respects their neighbors regardless of sexual orientation, will be a strong, united and thriving community. Together we can achieve it,� Perez said.

He guessed that 500 people were milling around the vendors and the stage area. He expected around 1,000 visitors for the whole day.

Perez wanted to emphasize the events’s growth over the past few years.

“Our first year, we had 40 vendors. This year we have more than 85 vendors. The festival also serves to raise awareness and educate our community,� Perez said.

Davina Reign Escade, the reigning 2024 Miss Trans Maryland, took the stage and introduced Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller.

“We are going to build a state where no one gets left behind. What that means is that we want to make sure that every individual in the state of Maryland can live their authentic lives. They can love who they want to love, because love is love, right?� Miller said.

Before taking the stage, Escade got a chance to talk with Miller for about 45 minutes.

“She invited me and the rest of the board of directors of Caroline Pride to take some students from the high Â鶹´«Ã½ and bring them over to meet the Governor and get their opinion on what they think they need in their community,â€� Escade said.

She had a few ideas she said could improve the lives of youths in the LGBTQ+ community.

“I want to see more sensitivity training in our Â鶹´«Ã½. And I would love to see more HIV care out there on the Eastern Shore. There is not a lot,â€� Escade said. “When I was 15, I contracted HIV. I have lived with it for almost 15 years now. It is very important that these kids know that there is someone to guide them. They are going to be ok. HIV positive is not a death sentence anymore. I am 15 years positive and I am thriving and healthy and beautiful. I am doing cartwheels at Pride.â€�