To The Haldimand Press
HALDIMAND—Pride Haldimand Norfolk is back: bigger, bolder, and braver than ever. On Saturday, May 28, 2022 at McKinnon Park, from noon until 5 p.m., we are resuming our annual Pride in the Park Celebration with musicians, artists, vendors, food, and fun suitable for the whole family! This year’s theme is “Dare to Be Yourself,” as we celebrate and embrace the lives of Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ people.
Haldimand Norfolk celebrity, “Extra Spicy” Jason Mayo will team up with Karma Kameleon, from Hamilton, to take on emcee duties on a stage that will see much loved performers Darcy Feaver, Barney (Jackson Gates), Justin Preston (founder of Rise Against Bullying), Quanah Style (Two Spirit Cree performer from BC), and the ever-popular, Caledonia’s own, Danny Dymond, returning to Pride Day in Haldimand Norfolk for the third time. DJ Rose Patriquin will be handling the sound for all of our entertainers and speakers and will also be sharing some of her own genre bending music style.
Along with the main stage festivities, we will be welcoming Guelph’s TransArtivist Project, founded by Maude Stephany. They will lead a community art project encouraging community members to artistically showcase what a queer-friendly future would look like to them. Stephany will be showcasing several pieces of art from previous events that, in collaboration with the Haldimand County Public Library, will be installed in the Caledonia branch of the library for the month of June.
In the hopes that many will rise to the challenge implied by “Dare to be Yourself”, this year the festivities will include a photo booth where anyone can express who they are with no judgment.
Pride Haldimand Norfolk is very excited to announce its collaboration with Willowbridge Community Services, a not-for-profit organization offering developmental services, counselling, and financial empowerment across Hamilton, Brantford, Niagara, Haldimand, and Norfolk. Gina McIntee-Wilson, a well-known artist from Dunnville, will be leading participatory workshops to paint Haldimand-crafted paddles that will become part of an art installation at Willowbridge’s new facilities in Brantford.
There will be a Family Fun Zone where LVW Creative Barracks, Dunnville, and Art with Heart Studio, Simcoe, will lead kids, aged 0 to 100 years, in craft activities.
There will be face painting by Meghan Peters and drag makeovers by Kasha Czech. Hammer Hogs BBQ (Caledonia) will be bringing some great food options via their food truck and we will welcome Kool Jim’s Ice Cream back this year.
If you are looking for some family fun in the sun, and want to support our local artists, musicians, businesses and organizations, and the Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ community, come on down to McKinnon Park, Saturday, May 28, 2022. We can’t wait to see you!
