North Bay Pride has announced its lineup for this year's Pride festival from a beautiful vantage point — and one of its venues — high above the city and Jason Maclennan, the organization's communications director is on cloud nine over the scheduled programming:
- Wednesday, Sept. 14 — flag raising at North Bay City Hall at 4 p.m., followed by a mayoral debate moderated by the Queen of Politics, Geri Atrick.
- Thursday, Sept. 15 — Drag Show Persona Contest hosted by Lemon and Jada Shada Hudson of Canada’s Drag Race, with a special performance
- by Dani Doucette, and special guest judge from "Call Me Mother," Kiki Coe. Pay what you can event.
- Friday, Sept. 16, 7 p.m. — Trans march followed by Cruising with Freddie Yacht Cruise on the Chief Commanda II, the boat departs at 10 p.m.,
- advance tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Gateway City Brewery or price at the door is $35. Free snacks from The Noble Steed.
- Saturday, Sept. 17, 9:30 a.m. — Round table with political leaders, Pride organizations and local Indigenous leaders. Will be discussing equity issues, political debates and how we can do better as a community (this event is closed to the public).
- Saturday, Sept. 17, noon — Pride Parade. Contact Pride for details on how to enter a float.
- Saturday, Sept.17, 1:30 p.m. — Vendor Event at the waterfront. Contact Pride for details on how to join as a vendor.
- Saturday, Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. — Out on The Hill Concert with Bif Naked, Ria Mae and opening act Mackenzie Drive. Organizers will ask for donations at the gate. Unable to donate? All are welcome.
Maclennan said the events are a perfect opportunity for community members to get together, celebrate who they are, be with each other and support one another, make new friends and develop support mechanisms.
With a nod to recent targeted attacks against OUTLoud North Bay, and the support North Bay Pride provided the group, Maclennan said, unfortunately, hateful comments are expected surrounding the coverage of these types of announcements.
"When you treat a group differently than everyone else, that's a form of discrimination," Maclennan stated about the lack of online comments about funding for certain groups and the outpouring of comments for Pride. "A homophobic comment is treating this group of people different than everybody else...It's about treating people equally. We don't want people to commit suicide because of who they are."
See "Pride is a protest" video above.
Bif Naked is a well-known Canadian rock artist with many hit songs in her repertoire. "I am honoured and excited to return to North Bay Pride on September 17th, co-headlining with the amazing Ria Mae. North Bay treats me like family every time I come, and I cannot wait to see you all again and perform some of my new songs and rock down memory lane with favourite songs and all of the hits! We are going to have such a great time. Love is love."
Ria Mae is a Canadian singer and songwriter from Halifax, whose recent release "The Old Me" is currently climbing the charts. "I can’t wait to get back to North Bay and experience North Bay Pride. I’m a huge fan of Bif Naked. Very much looking forward to this one."
Nipissing–Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota was on hand, Wednesday, to announce $91,500 in funding to the North Bay Pride Committee from the Ministry of Canadian Heritage through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, and noted the Government of Canada is committed to better serving 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and to building a society where everyone is free to lead authentic and happy lives.
The funding will assist with the operation costs for this year’s festival.
"I am proud to see support for the local North Bay Pride festival for 2022. From coast to coast to coast, Canadians gather at Pride events throughout the summer to celebrate and share the values of strength and solidarity. 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."
Maclennan adds, "With recent online hate towards OUTLoud and Pride organizations in Canada, it reinforces the need for Pride to continue the fight for
equity by having events, parades and educational opportunities. However, this is not possible without the support of Canadian Heritage Grants and the work this government has done in regard to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Not only is this funding important for Pride, but it also helps us drive economic recovery that is vital to all communities across Canada as we try to recover from COVID."
North Bay Mayor Al McDonald said, "The North Bay Pride Festival always involves a number of great events and I’m looking forward to seeing our community once again come together in person to celebrate diversity, inclusion and acceptance."
President of the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce Peter Chirico was also in attendance, and said, "The North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to see this investment in the North Bay Pride Committee Festival taking place September 14–18. Our community is inclusive, and this festival
will allow all to take part in the celebrations that recognize the 2SLGBTQ+ individuals that make up our diverse culture in North Bay and District. Thank you to the organizing committee and especially to our MP, Speaker of the House, Anthony Rota for today’s funding announcement and commitment.”
President of the Board of Directors for Laurentian Ski Hill, John Strang said, "Laurentian Ski Hill is ecstatic to partner with the North Bay Pride Committee to host the upcoming outdoor concert. The tourism industry has been working diligently over the years in developing and promoting 2SLGBTQ+ experiences
and we are happy to be part of this exciting initiative happening locally within our community.”
Rota concluded, "Investments in commemorative cultural infrastructure, anniversaries and local arts and heritage bring communities together, making them better places to live. 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."
You can follow North Bay Pride on Facebook and Instagram or at www.northbaypride.ca or contact by email at [email protected].
