Pride Haldimand Norfolk celebrates inclusion

PORT DOVER—Pride Haldimand Norfolk has once again kicked off the pride season in support of LGBTQ2S+ residents.

PORT DOVER—The Fanshawe College team was one of approximately 60 vendors and service groups with booths at the event. Photos courtesy of Jason Dale.

This year’s event took place on Saturday, May 31, 2025 in Port Dover’s Powell Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fun-packed day included food trucks, a family fun zone, a vendor market, and a variety of local entertainment and music acts.

The performers included Hannah Dolson, Amber Banks and Nolan Gibson, long-time favourite Darcy Feaver, The Shrubberies, and The Fishnettes. Ms. Cherry also led a story time.

The top sponsors for this year’s event were Edward Jones and the Grand Erie Elementary Teachers’ Federation. Krista Kett of Edward Jones posted to Facebook that it was “a chilly but wonderful day”, while the teachers’ federation posted, “When students see their teachers at Pride, they express so much joy!”

Pride Haldimand Norfolk was established in 2017 to promote peace, equality, diversity, and inclusion across the two counties. The Pride Day celebration launched in 2017 as well, bringing LGBTQ2S+ residents and allies together to celebrate equality and enjoy a day of comradery. Previous Pride Day events have taken place in Dunnville and Caledonia as well.

The Pride Haldimand Norfolk Board has about 20 volunteers who meet regularly to plan Pride events throughout the year, with many more coming together to support the annual Pride Day celebration ahead of Pride Month in June.

“Over 50 volunteers attend and participate in the event each year, and community members and businesses support this initiative by providing sponsorship, including both in-kind and monetary amounts,” explains the Pride Haldimand Norfolk website.

To learn more about Pride Haldimand Norfolk, visit pridehaldimandnorfolk.com or email pridehn23@gmail.com.