CHERRY POPPINS
Columbus, OH
Miss Gay Ohio America 2022 #50th
Miss Gay Gem City America 2022
Cherry poppins has been entertaining for 16 years. She's originally from Dayton ohio, where she slipped on her first pair of pumps. Throughout the years, she has used drag as a platform to give back to the community and be a voice for black and brown queer people. One of her biggest accomplishments was capturing the title of Miss Gay Ohio America in 2022, making her the 10th black queen to win the title. During the day, she works as a Prevention Health Navigator at Equitas Health, where she gets to work directly with the queer community. Coming back to Newark brings her so much joy, and she is excited you've all welcomed her with open arms for so many years.
TRIXIE MOORE
Newark, OH
Miss Toolbox Newcomer 2024
Your local Newark Queen has been slaying the stage for 9 years now and loving everything minute of it! I have recently won my very first title and so proud to be your Miss Toolbox Newcomer 2024! I am so proud to be back at Newark Pride and celebrate another great year with all of you and the LGBTQ+ community! Love you all and can't wait to see all of you.
DYKE TYSON
New Martinisville, WV
Metal Mohawk Man of West Virginia! Winner of FreakShow's "Test Your Metal", slayer of Pride on the Shore, two-time performer at Pittsburgh Pride, and first alternate at Ohio Valley Pride! With a fiery stage presence and captivating style, get ready for an unforgettable performance!
MADAM WOODS
Granville, OH
Miss Columbus All Star 2024
LUKAS LANE
Dayton, OH
Mr. Gay Ohio 2023
Mr Ohio Gay Pride 2019
Mister Gay United States MI 2017
ELIAS DOWN
Newark, OH
Hey! I’m Elias Down, and this year I am exclusively performing in the after-party! I have been performing for quite a few years, and I’ve been a part of Newark Pride since the beginning. I am a part of th eNOPC board, and I love the community we are helping bring together. I can’t wait to see everyone again and have fun during the 18+ party!
AJAY SANDERS
Newark, OH
Ajay Sanders is 15 years old and they have been acting on stage in musicals since the age of 12, which is also the age they came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Ajay also has recently started competition dance with the enchanted Opal dance group. They also do a stand up comedy workshop once a year and love to learn new techniques and work on crowd work. Ajay has been into singing and music since the age of 3 and loves to be in their happiest place, the stage. Ajay’s main goal in life is to help to inspire and bring courage to others to express their true identities!
RAIN LARISSA
Newark, OH
17 year old Rain Larissa has been writing and performing her poetry for 2 years now. Her pronouns are she/ they and is proudly pansexual! Rain currently lives with her boyfriend Alex and hopefully soon their children, a.k.a several fur babies, to come! She's written over 200 poems in many different styles. Rains dreams and goals in life would be to publish a book or books of poems and to keep a strong steady voice even when nobody is listening! She hopes to go to school for cosmetology and have her own business as a makeup artist. When she isn't making tacos at Taco Bell or spending quality time with her boyfriend she is either crocheting, writing, crafting, or trying out new makeup looks! Currently Rain is studying for her GED and wanting to further her education at Ashland University! She had lived in Newark for 2 years but currently lives in Ashland, Ohio. She still feels very connected and much nostalgia for Newark as this was one of the few places she really could call home.