Get your Pride on! Here ‘s our guide to frolicking Pride Festivals between Québec City and Toronto. Whether you’re waving from a float, dan-cing in the buff, flying a banner or drinking on the sidelines, don’t forget your Pride colours, sunscreen and water.
Until Wed, Jun 22
This year’s festival promises a great road trip for visitors from southern Ontario and eastern Quebec. The theme for 2005 is Leather & Lace, and organizers have tied it to an Extravaganza Sat, Jun 18 at the Lion’s Club Hall on Elliot Ave. Gather for the Parade Jun 18 starting at 12:30pm at McBurney Park (Clergy at Ordnance). Parade begins at 1pm. “Be part of the most exciting Pride Parade between Ottawa and Toronto,” says organizers. “Okay, okay – so it’s the only one between, but it’s still the best!” Bring your wonderful energy – and noisemakers – they say.
Contact: Marney at 545-3698.
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.
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 Canada, PFLAG, city council and the labour council. The slew of colourful events includes 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.
Peterborough Pride
Sat, Sep 10-Sun, Sep 11 (Tentative)
Peterborough’s Pride parade is tentatively slated for Saturday afternoon. The Community AIDS Resources Network is organizing a Rainbow Family Pride Picnic for Sunday afternoon at 1pm in Nicholls Oval. It’s free.
Contact: Rainbow Service Organization
rso@pipcom.com
www.peterboroughpride.ca
Québec City Pride/Fierté Québec
Dates Unknown
Contact:
(418) 523-2003
info@fiertequebec
www.fiertequebec.ca
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