⏲︎ This article is more than a year old.

Lebanon celebrated its first ever Pride festival on Saturday, June 26, with organizers saying that event turnout exceeded their expectations.

From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the block of S. 8th Street home to Scott Church’s art complex and the historic Lebanon Farmers Market was made over into a celebration plaza the likes of which Lebanon had never seen before.

S. 8th St. was directed with streamers, flags, and other decorations to celebrate Pride.
A free book swap station was setup at the event.
Music was played from the overhang of Scott Church’s building on S. 8th St., former storefront of Cedar Book and Card Shop.

With music, potluck food and BYOB drinks, plus games, free books, and plenty of other activities, the afternoon was cool and perfect weather for hanging out thanks to a strong breeze.

Co-organizer Joseph Romanoff with City of Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello and City Council President Joe Morales. (Provided photo)
Co-organizer Scott Church addresses the crowd inside his “Church” venue on S. 8th St.

A drag show began at 8 p.m., and although there was a $10 cover charge, so many people bought tickets that the event was forced to relocate outside to the sidewalk.

Aphrodite, pictured Saturday afternoon prior to the drag show.

The road had opened up again by that point, but a number of passing cars joined in the fun and waved flags of support out their windows.

A block of S. 8th St. was closed for much of the afternoon on Saturday, June 26.
Cars celebrated with festival goers as the drag show was moved outside due to greater than expected demand.

The show ran until about 10:30 p.m.

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