Pridefest kicks off festivities with flag raising, Loud & Proud

‘We have a lot to be proud of,’ says Sault Pride chair Amanda Zuke, who helped lead off Sault’s 10th annual Pridefest at city hall on Sunday

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1 / 1 The 10th annual Sault Pridefest kicked off at city hall on Sunday, which included keynote speeches and a Pride flag raising, followed by the Loud & Proud Family Fun Day at the Roberta Bondar PavilionAlex Flood/SooToday

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Members of Sault Pride, along with allies, dignitaries, and 2SLGBTQIA+ residents gathered on the front lawn of the Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre on Sunday afternoon to help kick off the Sault’s 10th annual Pridefest.

Several keynote speakers provided some opening remarks, including Sault Pride chair Amanda Zuke, who is excited for this year’s festivities to get underway.

“I came to this position at an incredibly important time for my community, not only locally but globally,” she says. “Members and allies of the queer community came together because we felt unseen and unheard.”

“We have a lot to be proud of,” she adds. “We’re excited to share this milestone and this celebration with all of you.”

Sault Pride activist Claire Mitchell was joined by mayor Matthew Shoemaker, as well as MP Terry Sheehan and MPP Ross Romano, in the raising of the Pride flag in front of city hall.

Following the ceremony, attendees walked together towards the Roberta Bondar Pavilion for this year’s Loud & Proud Family Fun Day.

Running until 4 p.m., Pridefest’s flagship event features vendors, demonstrations, kids’ activities, helping agencies, an inflatable jungle maze, face painting, and a variety of food and refreshments.

For a full list of Pridefest’s two-week schedule, visit here.