CINCINNATI — Despite the heat, almost a quarter of a million people are expected to be outside on Saturday. Organizers are anticipating the big crowd for Cincinnati’s Pride Festival, but they’re not taking any chances in the heat. 

What You Need To Know

  • 200,000 people are expected outdoors during a heat wave at Cincinnati's Pride Festival downtown

  • Event organizers have added misting tents, water stations, chairs and are giving out sunscreen and water packets to help keep people cool 

  • Crews are also monitoring the temperature and have emergency personnel on hand to help in case someone starts feeling sick 

Jonathan Alicea is a personal trainer putting his booth together for the Cincinnati Pride Festival, but the heat changed what he was planning to do at the booth.

“We were supposed to do an outdoor workout and then some people would be entered into a raffle, but it's going to be so hot, and we don't want to put anybody at risk," said Alicea. 

Instead he said they’ll have a workout machine on display and will be checking for heat exhaustion.

Festival organizers are paying close attention to the heat, too.

“I think it's something that we're monitoring, I wouldn't even say daily, I would say hourly,” Cincinnati Pride Communications Director Jake Hitch said. 

Hitch said he's in constant contact with crews to make sure everything runs smoothly.

He said with 200,000 people expected this year and a heat wave, they’re taking not taking any chances.

“We have some misting tents around the festival, so spaces that people can go in and just and be misted and cool down," Hitch said. "We have a senior tent around the main stage area that people are more than welcome to go and sit down. There are fans in there. We also have a chill zone, which again, people can go in, get away from the sun."

They’re also giving out sunscreen and hydrating water packets to keep people cool.

That’s why he said there are no plans to cancel the Saturday event.

“If it was absolutely too dangerous to have the event, we would not have the event, and we have been instructed that with the steps that we've taken, that we're still in a space that it can happen," Hitch said.

It’s just like what Alicea is doing. He's prepared for the heat and hoping for the best.

“It'll be fun," he said. "It'll be a good day. We just got to stay hydrated."

Emergency personnel and paramedics are also on hand in case of any illness. The festival wraps up around 8 p.m. Saturday night.

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