SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — The Savannah Pride Center is celebrated its 25th annual pride festival in the Hostess City this weekend.
"As long as we're strong and we're together as a community, we can grow,” said Nate Carr at the festival.
"Here at Pride, we have people here for the first time ever that have never been to a pride festival before, never been to a LGBTQIA+ event before,” said Michael Bell, Executive Director for the Savannah Pride Center. “Then we have people who have been here for over 25 years who have seen this community grow and become so much more diverse so that's what we're celebrating: the spectrum of people in our communities.”
In an array of ages and backgrounds, hundreds of people gathered in Forsyth Park as the festivities were just beginning for the weekend.
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"My first pride that I went to I was nervous because it was something new being around so many people but like myself it gave me a sense of - it's alright to be calm,” said Carr. “It's alright to be just open and relaxed about who you are and where you're from."
Bell told News 3 that festivities are the most jam-packed yet as a whole month of events culminates into the festival.
"It feels amazing to know that we've been here this long and we're holding strong and we're not letting anything deter us from being around,” said Carr. “It's a great historic moment for Savannah."