Pride festival makes a comeback in Thunder Bay

The city’s Pride celebrations made a return at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition (CLE) Coliseum Building with Rainbow Revival: the BIG GAY comeback on Saturday.

Thunder Bay’s 14th annual Pride Parade and Festival was originally planned to be held at the International Friendship Gardens with a parade in Fort William.

However, severe rain and thunder postponed the event in July, resulting in its rescheduling on the CLE grounds in case the weather took another downturn, according to organizers, who said they didn’t want to take any chances.

“It still takes a couple of months to reorganize and find a place – know how we’re doing,” continued Scotia Kauppi, Thunder Pride’s chair.

“It was also the summertime, so half our board went on their planned summer vacations that they had already paid for and everything, so we had to wait a little bit to be able to do it and we wanted to make sure that it wasn’t too hot.”

October is also recognized as 2SLGBTQIA+ History Month in Canada, which aligns with the event’s new rescheduled date.

“I’m really happy that this is our team’s first time doing an inside large-scale event like this that’s more akin to ThunderCon…,” Kauppi said, when asked how the comeback felt.

“(A) rocky little start, but it’s going really good now and I think everyone’s excited and having fun already and it’s going to be a really good day.”

There are so many people already, Kauppi said shortly after 1 p.m., adding that it’s really nice being on the Coliseum and the CLE grounds, as there were still the country market and another craft market going on.

“There are lots of open people who might have not known that we were here, or they might have not known that they were there. So, it’s lots of new people, so it’s really good,” Kauppi said.

In this climate, especially with the United States and the fact that Canada has opened up its refugee status to Americans who are 2SLGBTQIA+, she explained that it’s extremely important to show that the city is a welcoming community and ensure that people feel welcomed.

“The internet and the news and everything can feel so overwhelming and going back to the old ways of thinking with hate and discrimination, the internet is such a sounding board that people will see and can really affect how you view yourself,” Kauppi said.

“So, this is just to let everyone know that we are welcoming. We are a safe space. Thunder Bay is a wonderful place and you can find friends and people who love and cherish you here.”

As part of these efforts, a sidewalk march was also held around the block of the CLE grounds. It was expected to start at 1 p.m., according to Thunder Pride’s Facebook page, but it began shortly after 12:20 p.m. with those who gathered in the parking lot at noon.

“There was a little bit of confusion on the website just because we’re very understaffed. We had a bunch of losses and everything… (so), that part did get a little bit missed,” Kauppi said.

In addition to the march, the first part of the event featured vendors, non-profit organizations, crafters, sweets and treats, other food and live entertainment — including dance, music, a magician and drag stars — from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. inside the building.

“It’s free and all ages. Family friendly to come in and peruse, shop, have some food, have some community (and) have some fun,” Kauppi said.

After 4 p.m., the event shut down for roughly an hour, allowing some family-friendly businesses to depart and it to transition into a 19+ event, which will start at 6 p.m.

During this evening event, it will continue to feature hip-hop, burlesque, drag and comedy acts, alongside showcasing vendors, food, beer and “more fun and entertainment.”

The event is $5 at the door and the wristband will also grant $5 off admission to Black Pirates Pub’s Loud & Proud 3: Rainbow Revival After Party Edition at 10 p.m. – tbnewswatch.com

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Lets see…the parade scheduled for July was cancelled and rescheduled for October which is recognized as 2SLGBTQIA+ History Month in Canada,

Sooooo what about June?    June is LGBT Pride Month.

If they don’t have to have the parade in June and they don’t have to do any SLGBTQIA history stuff in June, then what do they do in June?   Do they need June?   They get 2 months?

What the hell is June LGBT Pride month for exactly?  Raising a flag?   Can’t they raise a flag in October?  You know October…the month that is 2SLGBTQIA+ History Month in Canada?

Can’t October be Pride Month AND 2SLGBTQIA+ History Month?