Pride Month is almost here! June marks the official start of the celebrations and this year, we are excited to be able to enjoy the festivities in person again. We are looking forward to the awesome events that have been coordinated in Niagara in celebration of our LGBTQ2S+community and we hope you are too.
Get ready to dust off your rainbow flags and join in the fun!
Most events are taking place in the first week of June. Here’s a look at the schedule:
Event #1: Kickoff party featuring “RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars” winner, Alaska.
When? May 28
Where? Meridian Centre
Cost: Tickets are $25.00 (Available through Ticketmaster).
Your ticket includes a meet and greet with Alaska, the dance party & the crowning of the 2022 Pride Ambassadors.
Event #2: Annual Pride Flag Ceremonies
When? May 30
Where? Niagara Region
Details: Pride Niagara Annual Pride Flag Ceremonies is presented by Meridian Credit Union. Line up for the day of Annual Rainbow Flag Raising for surrounding Niagara Region: Thorold at 8:30am, Fort Erie at 9:00am, Grimsby at 9:15am, Port Colborne at 10:00am, Welland at 10:30am, Township of Wainfleet at 10:45am, West Lincoln at 11:30am, Pelham at 12:15pm, Lincoln at 1:00pm, Niagara-On-The-Lake at 1:00pm, Niagara Falls at 2:00pm. The final flag raising of the day will take place at City Hall located in the heart of Downtown St. Catharines at 3:00pm.
Event #3: The 9th Annual Niagara UNITY Awards (showcasing people and organizations that have made an impact on the LGBTQ+ community.
When? June 1
Where? Amici’s Banquet and Conference Centre in Thorold.
Cost: Tickets are $50.00 each or $400.00 for a table of 8. It includes a silent auction, formal 3 course dinner, entertainment & awards. Tickets are available at universe.com.
Event#4: Pride Prom
Performances and prizes, prom-style photos and the crowning of the nonbinary prom king and queen. All ages welcome.
When? Thursday, June 2
Where? The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
Cost: Free, but registration is required. To register, visit firstontariopac.ca.
Event #5: 9th Annual – Pride in the Park
All-ages event featuring musical acts, family-friendly activities, food & merchandise vendors, a fully licensed area with DJs, a dance floor and more. Special Guests include: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 10 & “All Stars” Season 5 star Mayhem Miller, and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 11 and “Canada’s Drag Race” Star Brooke Lynn Hytes.
When? June 4 from noon to 10:30 p.m
Where? Montebello Park
Event #6: Hieee Tea
Features high tea foods & tea from the Vegan Hippie Chick. The head table at this event will feature local LGBTQ2S+ activists, allies, personalities & political figures.
When? Sunday, June 5 at 3:00pm
Where? Robertson Theatre at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
Cost: This event is all ages and free to attend, but registration is required. To register, visit firstontariopac.ca
GTA Pride Events
The full month of programming will begin on June 1, concluding with the annual Festival Weekend on June 24-25-26, 2022.
Event: Toronto Pride Parade
Toronto Gay Pride continues to be one of the most celebrated Pride events in the whole of North America, attracting an estimated 1.2 million spectators each year.
When? June 26 at 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Where? Begins at Bloor And Church Streets, South On Yonge Street To Yonge–Dundas Square. The parade will start at Church Street and Bloor Street East, proceed west on Bloor Street East, south on Yonge Street and east on Dundas Street East to Victoria Street.
Who? All ages; accessible event.
While in Niagara, visit these LGBTQ+ friendly spaces:
The Brazen Café – 19 King St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 3H1
The Mahtay Cafe – 241 St Paul St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 3M7
