Plan that road trip

Get your Pride on! Here’s our guide to frolicking Pride Festivals between Québec City and Toronto, on our side of the border and on the other. Whether you’re waving from a float, dancing in the buff, flying a banner or drinking on the sidelines, don’t forget your Pride colours, sunscreen and water.

Syracuse Pride
Sat, Jun 18, 2005
The Syracuse Pride festival will run from noon to 5:30pm. Organizers promise community groups, food and beer, a DJ, a gay and lesbian chorus and an expected attendance of 7,000 people. Don’t miss the enormous rainbow flag inspired by the Ottawa and Toronto Prides.Contact: Bernie McCarthy.(315) 471-0714.info@cnypride.org.www.cnypride.org.

Toronto Pride
Mon, Jun 20-Sun, Jun 26, 2005
The Flag-Raising Ceremony is at City Hall Jun 20. But before that, there’s the VIP and Media Launch Party Jun 17 and the General Pride Week launch party Jun 19 at Woody’s and Sailor. Then there’s the Pride Awards Gala Jun 21, the Dyke March Jun 25 and various other special events, ending with the Pride Parade at 2pm, Jun 26.Contact: (416) 927-7433.office@pridetoronto.com.www.pridetoronto.ca.

Rochester Pride
Sun, Jul 10-Sat, Jul 16, 2005
This year’s enlarged Pride Picnic in Genessee Valley Park kick-starts a week of Pride events, culminating with the Pride Festival in Highland Park at 1pm. The picnic will include a car show, local comedians, bands, a family area and a drinking tent for big kids. Local bars will also hold various events. Rochester Pride had approximately 3,000 participants last year and is shooting for over 5,000 this year. Canadian Pride-goers can make an easy trip to Rochester by taking the ferry from Toronto. Contact: Chuck Argento(585) 244-8640, ext 20.pridepicnic05@rochester.rr.com.www.gayrochester.com.or www.streetsofpride.com.

Montreal Divers/Cité (Pride)
Mon, Jul 25-Sun, Jul 31, 2005
For the first time in 13 years, Divers/Cité Pride Parade will occur at night, kicking off the Pride Celebrations on Mon, Jul 25. This year’s parade will take place in the Gay Village, moving from east to west. Highlights include Le Grand Rendez-Vous/Community Fair Days on Jul 30 and 31, a cultural festival including favourites such as La Noche Latina and La Grande Danse, and various club parties, indoor shows and associated events.Contact: Chris DiRaddo.(514) 285-1085. contact@diverscite.org.www.diverscite.org.

Ottawa Pride
Sat, Aug 19-Sun, Aug 28, 2005
It’s moved in time and place but still happening! Leather Fest will be Aug 26, the Women’s Boat Cruise Aug 27 and the Mayor’s Annual GLBT Town Hall will run from Fri, Aug 26, to Sun, Aug 28. Other events include the Pride Parade (details yet to be finalized), Centretown Movies (Pirates Of The Caribbean airs Aug 28) and the Rainbow Party at the Festival Plaza, City Hall (Aug 28).Contact: (613) 238-2424.info@prideottawa.com.www.prideottawa.com.

Cornwall Pride
Sat, Sep 3-Sun, Sep 4, 2005
The Pride Cornwall March kicks off Sat, Sep 3, at 10:30am at the Civic Complex parking lot followed by opening ceremonies with speakers from Egale, PFLAG, city council and the Labour Council. The slew of colourful events include a dance performance by the Cornwall City Cloggers, a Drag Queen and King show and the Pride Cornwall Gala Dance on Sep 4, 10pm. at Murphy’s Inn.Contact: kevin@pridecornwall.com.www.pridecornwall.com.

Québec City Pride/Fierté Québec
Sun, Sep 4, 2005Pride Day and parade.
Contact: (418) 523-2003. info@fiertequebec.www.fiertequebec.ca.

Peterborough Pride
TBA.

Kingston Pride
TBA.