Kawartha Lakes shows Pride with a week of fun activities
While June is officially Pride Month, when it comes to celebrating, educating and advocating, any time is the right time.
From July 8 to 14, a wide range of activities are set to take place in Fenelon Falls and Lindsay as part of the annual Kawartha Lakes Pride celebrations.
“We’ve come a long way but there are many in the (LGBT+) community that do face a lot of hatred and bigotry, mostly out of fear,” said Kawartha Lakes Pride’s Rylee Hynes, noting the week’s events are geared toward raising awareness and celebrating individuality. “We’re only trying to give folks, especially those who are marginalized, a safe place to be their whole self.”
While there have been a few bumps along the road, Hynes — who grew up in Toronto but now calls Fenelon Falls home — said the journey has been phenomenal.
“It’s all about putting a face to the experience. All of the work, all of the effort … There’s a lot of love in our tiny towns and we do our best to show up and be there,” said Hynes.
It’s especially rewarding when Hynes hears stories like the couple who are planning to return to Fenelon Falls where they first met.
“They had grown apart but reconnected in Toronto and got married,” said Hynes of a recently received Facebook message. “They were looking to move back but were apprehensive due to how they were treated when they were in high school. When they came across our Facebook page and saw all the positive posts, they were thrilled … Those stories; that is why we do this.”
The week’s festivities kick off with a flag raising at City Hall in Lindsay on Monday at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
That night, from 7 to 9 p.m., Lotus Indian Bistro in Fenelon Falls is hosting a Queer Trivia Night.
Tuesday’s lineup includes Drag Queen Story Time from 10 a.m. to noon at Kindred coffee bar in Lindsay and a special presentation — One Size Doesn’t Fit All: EDI in Your Workplace — from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Colborne Street Gallery in Fenelon Falls. Pre-registration via info@colbornegallery.ca is requested.
The Adelaide Clinic in Lindsay is hosting the ever-popular Pooch Pride celebration on Thursday starting at 5:30 p.m.
The weekend is chock full of fun for all ages starting with Friday’s Pride in the Park at the Maryboro Lodge Museum. The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kawartha Lakes public library staff will also be on hand with information and material about a variety of library services and programs, including the Pride Reading Challenge Bingo and Rainbow Book Club which meets monthly at the Lindsay branch.
The fun continues that night with Pride After Dark, a 19-plus drag show running from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets cost $25 and are available from PrideAfterDark24.eventbrite.com.
The Proud Sounds concert series kicks off at 11 a.m. in Victoria Park in Lindsay on Saturday. The free event runs until 4 p.m. An Elton John Tribute show hits The Grove Theatre stage at 7:30 p.m. (Use Pride15 to get 15 per cent off tickets).
Pride Week wraps up Sunday with a Queer Ecology Hike at the Ken Reid Conservation Area north of Lindsay from 10 a.m. to noon and culminates with a Toke and Stroke 19-plus drag paint night at East End Electric in Fenelon Falls. Tickets cost $50 and can be purchased via KLPPaintNight24.eventbrite.com.
For more information, visit Kawartha Lakes Pride’s Facebook and Instagram pages.