Ashtagayla was a Success!

The first Ashtagayla Pride Celebration, held in Ashtabula, Ohio, was even more successful than anticipated. The event organizers had prepared for ticket sales of about 150, and well over 150 people attended the event. The Ashtagayla celebration provided games, picnic food, DJ music, and a good-natured crowd in a festival-like atmosphere.

Games included "Are You Puzzled???", gay trivia questions, The Banana Game, Kiss Off , Drag King Crowning and Drag Queen Crowning competitions.

Volunteers included Michelle, Bernardo, Amy, Charlotte, Maureen, Al, Jamie, Keith, and Josh., as well as guest speaker Marlene Sartini.

Sponsors included Andrea's Hair Design; Billi Bonz & Shell Fonz Verizon Wireless-Bridge Street; Carlisles Elena Caruso; Casa Capelli; Dasco Paper; D'Itri's Barber and Beauty Shop; Erie Gay News; Frosty Harbor; Gay Peoples Chronicle; Doug Hornbeck; Ivy Rose; R.L. Lipton Distributing; Meola Catering; Outdoor Army Navy; Phil's Catering; Point East Bags and Baskets; C. Stickle Productions; Terry's Tents; Josh Thomas; Bob Tucker; Thom Verdi and Northeast Xerox.

The mission stated of the Ashtagayla Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Committee is "to educate, commemorate, celebrate and liberate." The committee members are Chris D'Itri, Doug Hornbeck, Sue Phillips, Corey Stickle, Stephanie Finley, Kym Kyrk and Nancy Slider. The group plans to do other events in the future.

For more information, contact Chris at (440) 344-2203 or email Sue at nansu630@hotmail.com

Photos

Also view photos here.