Pride week kicks off in Chatham-Kent

For the first time since the pandemic hit, the Pride parade in Chatham-Kent is a-go.

Marianne Willson, chair of the board of of the CK Gay Pride Association, said that having festivities happen in person this year means that people in the community can get reconnected and support each other.

"I think that public display of being out in the community, of being seen in the community, goes a long way to advance conversations, advance awareness of diversity to help embrace inclusion," she said. "It allows those people who maybe are not visible in the community to see that the community is making strides to include resources for them."

Pride week celebrations kicked off Monday with a raising of the rainbow flag at Chatham Civic Centre.

There are events scheduled until Sunday including a barbecue, bonfire and a pub night.

The Pride parade is being held on Saturday at 11 a.m., followed by a Pride festival in Tecumseh Park.

The festival's programming includes a drag show, food trucks, a dj and a water fun area that includes a giant rainbow unicorn sprinkler.

"[There's] lots of great stuff happening and everybody's welcome," she said. "There's no cost for any of these events."

A full schedule of events is available on the CK Pride website.

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