The organizer of this summer's PrideFest in Sarnia says the goal is to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion, for the 2SLGBTQAI+ community.
The new event is scheduled for July 15-17 in Centennial Park.
Executive Director of Diversity ED Crystal Fach is excited to be able to hold the event after COVID restrictions were lifted.
"It's really important for our community especially to get out of isolation," said Fach. "A lot of our folks also live in homes that might not be accepting, so it's great to have a festival where we can be with our community as well as our allies. I want folks to know that PrideFest is for anyone that supports 2SLGBTQ folks. We want to see our allies there and our friends and families really celebrating who we are with us and celebrating the diversity in Sarnia-Lambton. We have been locked up for a long time so we're ready to get back out there and have fun again."
The festival kicks off Friday night with an all Black and Indigenous lineup of entertainment, including Brothers Wilde, Indigibabes, Canada’s Drag Race’s Ilona Verley and more.
On Saturday, Lavender Promotions will feature performances by Rosie (OutTV’s Call Me Mother), Saltina Shaker (TikTok Sensation), Sunshine Glitterchild, Benz Menova, Van Goth, Aurora Matrix, Amanda Villa and Edie Violet.
The festival finishes Sunday with Drag Queen Story Time, sponsored by The Book Keeper, and various performances by local artists.
For more information including a full festival schedule, visit www.diversityed.ca/sarnia-lambton-pridefest. Tickets go on sale on April 1.