‘Live, Love, Bee’: Pride returns to downtown Centralia

Vibrant colors filled Pine Street Plaza in downtown Centralia with activities, outfits and music to celebrate the start of Pride Month on Saturday.

Lewis County Pride held the fourth annual Pine Street Pride celebration, this year titled “Live, Love, Bee.” The event had plenty of sights and activities for attendees. People could walk around and visit over 25 different tables full of resources, arts and crafts provided by local businesses and organizations.

People could also take in drag performances by performers such as Adrienne Alexander, Miss Oregon Gay Pride.

For Stehpanie Shields, this was her first year taking on the task of organizing the event, and she said she understood the need for the return of the event.

“It’s just about living your authenticity, loving who you need to love and just being you,” Shields said regarding the theme “Live, Love, Bee.”

Last year, the event endured protests from white supremacists, but that didn’t stop people from coming out to celebrate this year.

“It’s really important having the Centralia Police Department here, knowing that last year wasn’t the best and this year it is,” Shields said.

“No matter what, we were returning to our home turf to say, ‘no, we are here and we can co-exist,’” Shields said. “I truly believe that every person has the right to be seen and heard.”

Read more about Lewis County Pride and find resources at https://lewiscountypride.org/.