Some participants at the inaugural Pride in the Park event spent a gorgeous summer evening running through bubbles at Aspinwall Riverfront Park.

Others painted large canvases with their feet, and still more used the park’s oversized “LOVE” sculpture as a photo booth.

In all, more than 350 people converged at the park for the family-friendly gathering June 8 with the goal to connect the LGBTQIA+ community and allies in the Fox Chapel area.

“Our primary goal was to connect our local community, and I think it’s safe to say we accomplished that,” said co-organizer Sarah Shaffer.

“There were 150 people within the first hour.”

Shaffer said Aspinwall Riverfront Park, which sits between the Freeport Road commercial district and the Allegheny River, was the perfect setting for the party.

Throughout the event, there were several activities meant to engage and inspire attendees. They included:

• An interactive community art project hosted by Ketchup City Creative that involved people popping paint-filled balloons.

• Drag Queen story time with host Akasha L Van Cartier.

• A button-making table by Spark Books.

• A craft table by Cooper-Siegel Community Library.

• A canvas painting by the Positive Painting Project.

• Informational booths with several LGBTQIA+ nonprofits.

• A rainbow-themed cookie table with cookies baked by students.

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