 We'll be here in the Pugville City Park this Saturday, the 12th from noon to 5 p.m. We're going to have live music, vendors, guest speakers. There's going to be a pub parade. We're going to have a drag show with an amazing lineup. We're really excited about it. It's an inclusive, family-friendly event where we just want people to show up, show their support, and have a great time. Well, growing up in Pugville, I never thought there would be an event like this here. Even five years ago, I would have told you this would never happen. But being part of this committee and seeing our community come together and support us and celebrate with us means everything to me, honestly. Because growing up in a rural area, most of us feel like we'll never really be accepted for who we are. So having events like this is so important because it shows us that we're not alone and that we can and do live and thrive here. Of course, we know that there are people in our community who do not approve of our event or share our values. However, we're not going to be focusing on hate this weekend. We're coming together to celebrate love in the LGBTQ community in eastern Kentucky. Anyone who wants to make Pugville a better place to live for all is welcome to attend. So this weekend on Saturday, October 12th, will be the second annual Pugville Pride Festival in downtown Pugville and the City Park. This is the second year I've been able to be a part of it. I went down last year whenever they asked for volunteers to help with the free mom hugs booth. And I just thought, wow, it really hit me that a lot of the people in the LGBTQ community don't even have parental support. They don't have the people that I guess are supposed to love you no matter what. They're not even there for them. So being able to just offer up free mom hugs was really the thing that brought me down last year. So this year I'm happy to be doing it again. You know, especially from my background being raised here in the Bible Belt and coming from a very strong Christian family, a lot of my upbringing might not have even been as supportive of the community as I needed to be. But I think whenever you know better, you have to do better. And so although I know a lot of maybe my friends and family don't agree with me, I feel a conviction of my own that this is something worth taking a stand for and showing my support and love for my friends that are part of that community. So definitely an ally. Especially anybody that wants to volunteer to give mom hugs, we would be more than happy to have you. I don't think you can get too many people sharing hugs.