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Hundreds gathered in Pembroke on June 3 and 4 to kickoff Pride month with a number of activities.
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After two years of being unable to take part in in-person events because of the COVID pandemic, members of the community turned out in droves, many of whom were dressed to the nines in Pride apparel.
Activities got rolling Friday afternoon at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus when Pembroke Pride and the college’s Students’ Association came together to host Gaymes Day, featuring games, food and fun.
This was followed up in the evening with the Pride Parade through the streets of Pembroke. Participants gathered at the college where the parade began shortly after 6 p.m. Participants marched down Lake Street to Mackay, then up to Pembroke Street, past city hall, and back through the downtown core before heading to the amphitheatre for the Pembroke Pride outdoor dance party and drag show.
The action shifted on Saturday, June 4 primarily to Prince Street downtown for the Pembroke Pride Festival held in partnership with the Pembroke Business Improvement Area. Prince Street was closed for the bulk of the day to allow for free, family-friendly entertainment and events. Many downtown businesses decorated in Pride colours and highlighted Pride-themed products with displays. Official events wrapped up with a drag show that evening at Janna and Kerry’s Over Easy Bar and Grill. Also on Saturday, the Pembroke Public Library hosted drag queen storytime.
“Pride is a time to celebrate how far the queer community has come in terms of equality and inclusion, and a reminder that we can’t take those rights for granted,” says Jamie Hawes, coordinator of Pembroke Pride. “It’s also a time to show people they’re not alone. You can be yourself here, have fun and see that you’re part of a big rainbow family.”
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This year’s Pride Festival was made possible through the generous support of Platinum sponsors: Renfrew County Teachers’ Local, USW Locals 1568 and 4096 at Chalk River, Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation District 28, and Meridian Credit Union; Gold sponsors: Renfrew and District Labour Council, Women’s Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew County, Collective Growers, HeLa medical aesthetics, and Planet Fitness; Silver sponsors: Laurentian Brew Kombucha, rECo Refillery, and Ottawa Valley Apparel; Bronze sponsors: With Chela, Speedpro, Nan and Pop’s Craft Shoppe, and Pure Canadian Candle Company.
