Jun 9, 2017

YOU & ME | Perfectly Proud in the Park

Congratulations, It's a Girl!
FRANCA PHOTO BOMBS SHADA BLACK & MY SISTER JANE
Mother Nature seemed to get the bulletin that Niagara's LGBT community and their supporters would be celebrating their annual Pride in the Park event on June 10th, as she provided us with a hot and sunny day, with just a wee bit of humidity. Perfect weather for a day in the park.

I went to the event with my friend and downstairs neighbour Deanna, her daughter and granddaughter. They stayed for a few hours in the afternoon, but I was there for the entire day & night.

This was the 6th year for the festivities, once again held at Montebello Park in downtown St. Catharines and it drew a record crowd who enjoyed a day filled with music, food, numerous vendors and live entertainment.  

Vendors from across Niagara and Hamilton were on hand selling jewelry, rainbow attire, clothing, pet stuff and Scentsy products. Other vendors included realtors, Niagara Regional police department, positive living/anti-bullying groups, Federal Liberal MPP Chris Bittle, the local LGBT Conservatives group and numerous food vendors, who kept our bellies filled with yummy dishes. 

For the kids, there was a bouncy castle and the Waterfall Empire group featured the one and only Miss Shada Black, reading storybooks throughout the afternoon. 

The Bell Tower Community Arts & Entertainment Complex of Fort Erie were in charge of the licensed area, restricted to guests 19 and over. They had several cocktail options served by the happiest, best-looking bartenders around. 

That's a Wrap!
ENJOYING THE WRAP UP PARTY AT DETOUR MUSIC HALL
Entertainment included acts on the main stage (featuring Rupaul's Drag Race alumni Chi Chi Devayne and Milk) and local drag performers on the smaller stage near the licensed lounge area. 

The all day event started at noon and closed at 10:30 pm, but organizers were there bright and early around 6 am to help set things up. Most of the vendors closed up between 5-6 pm, with the exception of those selling food, who stayed open later.

After Pride in the Park was over, the fun moved to the Detour Music Hall on St. Paul Street for the Wrap Up party. I attended the party with my sister Jane and although I'd already had my share of liquid refreshments, I had the desire for a few more... LOL!

Throughout the day I ran into old friends, some of which I had not seen in almost 20 years - Yikes, I'm so old! Everyone was in agreement that celebrating Pride in the heart of downtown St. Catharines was something we couldn't even imagine in the past. 

There's plenty of volunteers, businesses and organizations who work hard to put the annual festivities together, but the group that sees to it that we even have a Pride week are the members of Pride Niagara. It's hard to believe that this small group of devoted individuals take the challenge of putting together a week's worth of Pride activities and turn it into an annual roaring success. I am so proud of them for all they do, not just during Pride week, but all year round. Give yourselves a round of applause, Pride Niagara, as you certainly deserve it.