York Pride is kicking off a fun and exciting Pride Festival with a new trans march, followed by a fashion show and performances on Friday, and activities at Rivewalk Commons and parade along Main Street Newmarket Saturday.
The trans march begins a 6 p.m. at the municipal office and heads to Fairy Lake, with the Sparkling Night fashion show and concert getting underway at Riverwalk Commons at 6 p.m. on June 14. Then on June 15, there's Pride on Riverwalk at noon, and the Pride Parade with more than 2,000 marchers and 50 floats at 3 p.m.
“Our teams are working incredibly hard to bring York Pride’s very best this year as we celebrate 24 years of Pride across York Region, celebrating 10 plus years of the York Pride Parade and our very first year for our trans march,” said Jacob Gal, director of operations. “The Town of Newmarket, our safety partners, and all of our sponsors have been absolutely incredible this year, pulling out all the stops to make this festival one to remember.”
The trans march begins at the Town of Newmarket’s offices on Mulock Drive and ends at Riverwalk Commons. York Pride encourages spectators to view the march alongside Fairy Lake, setting up blankets and chairs at 5:30 p.m. The march was developed after Gal heard feedback from trans and gender-diverse individuals who felt they were not getting the support they needed from the community.
“We’re trying to use this as a moment to educate people, to help people see these members of the community as humans, not as a label and most certainly not negative,” said Gal. “They are people’s kids, grandparents, and people who are important to other people.”
Sparkling Night will celebrate queer culture through music and art at the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall at 200 Doug Duncan Dr. It will feature five esteemed fashion designers and live performances from over 12 emerging queer and allied artists from the province. It will include Meesh at 6:45 p.m., Methuselah at 7:30 p.m., Brandon Keir at 8:15 p.m., Martianally at 9 p.m., and Mr. Haque at 9:45 p.m.
Pride on Riverwalk will feature live performances from more than 30 Ontario-based emerging queer artists and allies. There will be food and craft vendors, and more than 25 community organizations to connect with, as well as interactive zones and games.
The Pride Parade will display 2SLGBTQIA+ signs, memorabilia, and attire as it makes its way down Main Street between Queen Street and Water Street.
Gal looks forward to seeing families with their children and grandparents lining Main Street, along with the droves of spectators.
“For people to come out and celebrate with their families means the world to me,” said Gal. “Every year when I plan Pride and every year when I’m at the festival, and I see families that are happy, that is the most important thing about everything that we do.”
York Pride will continue to offer Riley's Room, a dedicated low-sensory zone at the hall. The tranquil space will provide an environment for people who need a quieter, more controlled place to enjoy the festival. It will include airbag chairs, textured toys, a weighted lap pad, noise-cancelling headphones, muted games, a slow and low-light show, and more.
For more information about the festival, visit https://yorkpride.ca/
