'American Idol' finalist headlining Stark Pride Festival in downtown Canton
CANTON − The Stark Pride Festival will mark its third year on June 8 with a celebration featuring food trucks, drag performers and an "American Idol" finalist.
The LGBTQ+ event will be 2 to 10 p.m. at Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton. Headlining the entertainment will be singer David Hernandez, who advanced to the top 12 on the "American Idol" television show in 2008.
More than 5,000 people are expected, organizers said in an announcement Friday.
"The event is open to all interested and supportive people," the news release said.
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Stark Pride Festival 2024: speakers, vendors, drums and drag
The event features speakers, vendors, community organizations, dancing and activities for youth. The festival will begin with a march around 1:15 p.m. leaving from the Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Ave. N, and ending at Centennial Plaza, 330 Court Ave. NW.
Opening ceremonies will be at 2 p.m., featuring performances by the Bluecoats drum and bugle corps and EN-RICH-MENT Fine Arts Academy's drumline. Vox Audio and Sing Out, a group representing the LGBTQIA+ community, also will perform.
Leading the entertainment on the main stage of Centennial Plaza will be host DJ Krooze, along with emcees and drag performers Danyel Vasquez and Kardi Redd Diamond. Performers also will include Daphne' Dupree, Denise Russel, Rosie Quartz, Cherry Veneer, Poppy Lugo, Robyn Hearts and Kaleigha Diamond.
Live music features 'American Idol' finalist
Musical performances start at 3 p.m. with regional artists Angie Haze, followed by The Scenic Route at 4:30 p.m. Mellow Villains will take the stage at 6 p.m. before Cleveland-based band FunkyardX performs at 7:30 p.m.
Angie Haze is an alternative rock artist from Akron. The Scenic Route is a pop rock band from Stark County. Mellow Villains is a Northeast Ohio-based band that plays a mix of classic rock, metal, modern music and dance.
Hernandez performs at 9 p.m. FunkyardX and Hernandez' shows are being funded through a Cultural Tourism Grant from ArtsinStark and Visit Canton.
Known for his soulful vocals, Hernandez's single, "Beautiful" reached the top 100 of the Billboard dance charts. His 2022 album features the song, "When It Rains, It Pours." Past releases also include the songs, "Boomerang" and "Sorry." Hernandez announced on Facebook that he will be releasing a new single, "I AM" on May 31.
The singer-songwriter also spent a Las Vegas residency starring in the Off-Broadway musical comedy, "Naked Boys Singing!"
Activities for kids and teens will include face painting, inflatables, craft projects and balloon artist Rick Everhart. The Eric Snow YMCA, 420 Third St. NW, will be open 6 to 8 p.m. for an open gym with music and snacks, the news release said.
Other activities will include an artwork raffle and scavenger hunt.
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark Pride Festival in Canton will feature 'American Idol' finalist
