Scores of people, many adorned with rainbow colors and flags, filled downtown Akron Saturday for the 2025 Pride Festival and Equity March.

The theme of this year’s festival was “United As One.” In addition to attending live performances and checking out various vendors, festival-goers had plenty of food, drinks and events to enjoy along South Main Street, in Lock 3 park and elsewhere.

Arlo Michelson-Bryan, 4, sits on mom Megan Michelson-Bryan's shoulders as they walk in the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March
Arlo Michelson-Bryan, 4, sits on mom Megan Michelson-Bryan’s shoulders as they walk in the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Akron resident Jasmone Richardson participates in the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Akron resident Jasmone Richardson participates in the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Akron resident Maria Alexander rides a unicycle along South Main Street in downtown Akron during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March
Akron resident Maria Alexander rides a unicycle along South Main Street in downtown Akron during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Catherine Mills, 2, holds Pride flags alongside mom Zarah Mills and dad Andrew Mills while watching the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March
Catherine Mills, 2, holds Pride flags alongside mom Zarah Mills and dad Andrew Mills while watching the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Dogs Jasper (left) and Jovanna walk down South Main Street in downtown Akron alongside owner Jenn Hudak, of Cuyahoga Falls, during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March
Dogs Jasper (left) and Jovanna walk down South Main Street in downtown Akron alongside owner Jenn Hudak, of Cuyahoga Falls, during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Drag queen Cherry Veneer cheers people on as they participate in the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March
Drag queen Cherry Veneer cheers people on as they participate in the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Sabrina Gier, of New Philadelphia, (center) gets some help adjusting Pride flags in her hair from her daughters Riley Siburt, 12 (left) and Hope Gier, 13 (right).
Sabrina Gier, of New Philadelphia, (center) gets some help adjusting Pride flags in her hair from her daughters Riley Siburt, 12 (left) and Hope Gier, 13 (right). (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Participants in the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March fill South Main Street in downtown Akron on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Participants in the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March fill South Main Street in downtown Akron on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Danielle Scott, of Wadsworth, holds up a camera during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March along South Main Street in downtown Akron
Danielle Scott, of Wadsworth, holds up a camera during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival Equity March along South Main Street in downtown Akron on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Aaron Engelhart-Shepherd (left) and husband Troy Engelhart-Shepherd, of Stow, hold their 1-year-old nephew Grant Watson while Grant's mom Taylor Watson, snaps a photo during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival
Aaron Engelhart-Shepherd (left) and husband Troy Engelhart-Shepherd, of Stow, hold their 1-year-old nephew Grant Watson while Grant’s mom Taylor Watson, snaps a photo during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Scores of Akron Pride Festival participants fill South Main Street on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Scores of Akron Pride Festival participants fill South Main Street on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Ren Meszaros performs with Sing Out, a Canton-based LGBTQ+ mixed-voice choir, in Akron's Lock 3 park during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival
Ren Meszaros performs with Sing Out, a Canton-based LGBTQ+ mixed-voice choir, in Akron’s Lock 3 park during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Christine Jefferson, of Wooster, (right) shares a moment with her wife Elaine Jefferson (left) during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival
Christine Jefferson, of Wooster, (right) shares a moment with her wife Elaine Jefferson (left) during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Medina resident Jennie Fisher-Carter sits under a rainbow umbrella near Akron's Lock 3 park during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Medina resident Jennie Fisher-Carter sits under a rainbow umbrella near Akron’s Lock 3 park during the 2025 Akron Pride Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)

Multimedia reporter/producer (he/him)
Ryan Loew is Signal Akron's multimedia reporter/producer, meaning he tells stories through photos, video and writing. Originally from the Youngstown area, Ryan studied journalism at Kent State University and has worked in various newspaper, public media and nonprofit newsrooms in and out of Ohio over his nearly 20-year career. Ryan is interested in stories about people — our problems, our triumphs and everything else in between — that make us who we are. He believes visual journalism plays a powerful role in telling such stories and connecting us with our neighbors. When he’s not working, Ryan is going on hikes and bike rides, taking care of a more than 100-year-old house and learning to play the drums.