This summer's Pride festival will get $52,300 from the federal government to help with the operation costs for this year’s event which takes place from August 31 through September 18.
It's the seventh edition of the Pride festival.
“I am proud to see support for the local North Bay Pride festival," says MP Anthony Rota, "These festivals bring people together to celebrate our local arts and culture and heritage and it is important to continue to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community here in Nipissing-Timiskaming, and I’m looking forward to seeing everything happening at this year’s event.”
The festival programming includes musical and drag performances, Indigenous drumming and dance performers, a DJ dance party, Comedy Night and a theatrical production, along with heritage performances and storytelling from members of the Nipissing First Nation.
These activities will see 48 local artists and heritage performers and the participation of 61 volunteers to carry out a full suite of event planning, delivery, and technical production tasks.
The organization anticipates an audience of 52,000 people for a hybrid on‑line and in-person event.
“These types of grants help keep us visible in our community and remind people that they are seen, while they see people just like them in all communities. It also helps us combat the rise of hate toward the 2SLGBTQ+ community, which has been on the rise over the last three years," says Communications Director Jason Maclennan.
Maclennan says Pride events contributed $4 million in economic spinoff in 2022.
"These celebrations are a time to remind us of the resiliency, spirit, and presence of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and communities across Canada and right here in Nipissing-Timiskaming. These investments bring communities together, making them better places to live,” added Rota.
