Photo by Shelley Hanson A string of rainbow flags fly in the breeze at Wheeling Heritage Port during Pride On The Plaza on Saturday.

WHEELING – The Ohio Valley’s LGBTQ+ community and supporters gathered Saturday for the fourth annual Pride On The Plaza at Wheeling Heritage Port.

The theme of this year’s festival was “Free to Be” in recognition of the nation’s 250th birthday, but also to ask what freedom means when the LGBTQ+ community faces discrimination, as it has throughout the country’s history.

People strolled through the festival, many decked out in Pride flag rainbow colors. Several vendors were set up selling their homemade wares and food on Water Street. Inside WesBanco Arena, portions of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt were on display, along with a version of the original Pride flag designed by Gilbert Baker.

Outside, a stage hosted performances by the Pittsburgh Pride Choir, Epiphany and Annie Wolfe, as well as magician Dennis Regling.

Bellaire resident Christopher Underwood said it was important to him to attend and support the Pride Fest.

“I support Pride because I’ve been bisexual my whole life,” said Underwood, who attended the event with his friend Nicole Morford of Bridgeport and his dog Marmlow.

Jaunita Ramsey, a vendor selling handmade jewelry at the event, said she wanted to attend Pride because it is important that everyone is allowed to be themselves.

“I love that it’s a chance for everyone in the community to have fun together,” she added.

The event was organized by The Friendlier City Project. Board member Adam Payne said pride was needed now more than ever in the valley and across the United States.

“We’re here. We’re queer and we’re not going anywhere,” Payne said from the event stage.