Come on Sault Ste. Marie – Get Out and Show Your Pride for 5th Annual Pridefest.

The Sault Pride Committee along with members, volunteers, and allies of the Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, 2 spirit, and questioning (LGBTQ+) and allied people are proud to announce the fifth annual Sault Ste. Marie Pridefest.

Sault Pridefest will launch on July 22, 2018 with the Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall starting at 10 am followed by a Pride Walk from City Hall to the Bushplane Museum for the Loud & Proud Family Fun Day from 12pm to 4pm.

Sault Pride’s “Pridefest” evolved out of support for LGBTQ athletes participating at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Sault Pride requested our city to fly the pride colours in support of the athletes, recognizing the oppression felt by LGBTQ folks in Sochi, Russia. Faced with a denial from city council, Sault Pride was fueled with a passion to be heard for the LGBTQ community in Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma. No longer wishing to remain silent, a core group of community members organized the first Sault Pride “Pridefest” in 2014 with a 2 day event.

Since that time, we have gained support and allies, including city council in celebrating our diverse and inclusive event for all in Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma. Over the years since Pridefest began, we have continued to grow and become more organized in the production and presentation.  In this 5^th year of Pridefest we have 8 full days of events, see our Facebook event page a full schedule of events here: https://www.facebook.com/events/924435627738056/

Sault Pride is a community organization with a mission to bring people together from Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma district to celebrate the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community. We honour our history and educate the future; empowering people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. The annual Sault Pridefest has become a celebration of unity and diversity, inclusion and vibrant creativity. As a growing Pride movement, we aspire to unite and empower people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Schedule for Pridefest 2018:

Sunday July 22nd

10 am – Flag Raising at City Hall

11:15/11:30 am -12:00 pm – Pride Walk from City Hall to Bushplane Museum

12:00 -4:00 pm – Loud & Proud Family Event at Bushplane Museum

7:00 pm – Celebration of Life at Bellevue Park (south shelter, by marina)

(Honouring those living with or have passed from HIV/AIDS)

Monday July 23rd

7:30 pm – Amore Shows It’s Pride Fashion Show (331 Korah Rd.)

Tuesday July 24th

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – LGBTQ Workshop “Where do I belong” (Free Parking)

Algoma University – Traditional Anishinaabek Territories – Shingwauk Hall, 3rd Flr.

Wednesday July 25th

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm- Family Karaoke (Free ALL AGES Event) at  LopLops, 651 Queen St E.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday July 26th

4:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Free STI testing Drop in Clinic

Algoma Public Health, 294 Willow Avenue

**Testing is confidential and no appointment is necessary**

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Pridefest Coffee House Shabby Motley Handcraft, 356 Queen Street East.

 

Friday July 27th

1:00 pm – 4pm – 2 Spirit Building Allies Workshop-

Facilitated by Teddy Syrette & Kim Pelletier

Algoma University

Shingwauk Hall, 3rd Flr.

1520 Queen Street East

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 2G4

Traditional Anishinaabek Territories

 

7:00 pm doors open show at 8pm – Show Your Pride Drag Show

Primavera Banquet Hall, 256 Wellington St. W.

$10 advance tickets /$15 at door

 

Saturday July 28th

9:00 pm doors open – Pride Night Dance Party (music/video)

68 Dennis St (downstairs of the Grand Garden downtown)

Celebrate Diversity & Rock Pride NO COVER, 19+ EVENT

 

Sunday July 29th

11 am (doors open 10:30am – Rainbow Breakfast Buffet

Grand Gardens Downtown, 68 Dennis St

ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY $15

One sitting only