Sault Ste. Marie MP Terry Sheehan has announced federal funding for a pair of community celebrations taking place this weekend.
Sault Pride is receiving a $19,800 grant through the Government of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Federal Action Plan for the annual Pridefest celebration. The 11th edition of the event kicks off Sunday with a flag raising and Pride Walk, and will include a week of events including meet-and-greets, learning opportunities for the public and social events like the Drag and Dance night at the Queen of Hearts Club.
The funding will also help Sault Pride incorporate itself as a not-for-profit and enable it to roll out 12 months of outreach programming for racialized communities.
“This grant has allowed us to do some incredibly important work this year, including legal incorporation and policy development to allow Sault Pride to continue connecting our community for many years to come,” said Sault Pride Chair Amanda Zuke in a news release. It’s very exciting for us to be digging in and forging lasting links with diverse populations, which serves to strengthen us all! We look forward to continuing this work in the months ahead.”
The Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie will also receive $5,800 through the Department of Canadian Heritage for Rotaryfest, which is now in its 101st year. Officially kicking off this Thursday, the three-day event will feature musical performances, Ribfest and the annual Rotaryfest parade.
“The Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie is grateful for the donation from the Canada Heritage Fund for this year’s RotaryFest. Our Club is proud to present the Sault’s largest summer festival!” said Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie President Lynn Hollingsworth via news release. “This donation and support by other sponsors and volunteers make this gift to the community possible.”
Standing at the rainbow crosswalk on the corner of Spring Street and Bay Street Wednesday, Sheehan told reporters that both summer festivals are “very important, very inclusive” events for Sault Ste. Marie.
“I am proud that our government is supporting these local groups to bring people of the Sault together,” Sheehan said in a release. “Groups like the Rotary Club and Sault Pride are vital to ensuring that our city is vibrant, connected, and community minded. I look forward to joining them for the celebrations over the coming week.”