Photo supplied by Talpa on Pixabay
A Pride celebration is set to return to downtown Pembroke later this month through a partnership between Pflag Renfrew County and the Pembroke Business Improvement Area.
Downtown Pride will take place June 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with activities centred around Shamrock Park on Pembroke Street West.
Organizers say the event will feature live entertainment, music, food vendors, family activities and a market, with residents and visitors invited to participate in the celebration.
In addition to activities at the park, businesses throughout the downtown core will take part in Pride Month programming, including storefront decorations and a Pride Passport initiative. Participants will be able to collect stamps at participating businesses offering Pride-themed products, promotions and activities, with completed passports eligible for prize draws.
Bethea Summers, executive director of the Pembroke Business Improvement Area, said events such as Downtown Pride help foster inclusion while highlighting local businesses.
“Diversity and inclusion are essential to building strong, vibrant and welcoming communities,” Summers said in a statement.
Organizers say the event is intended to create a welcoming space for people of all ages while promoting acceptance and supporting local businesses and community organizations.
The celebration has received support from a number of sponsors, including Pflag Canada, District 28 of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, the City of Pembroke through its Community Recreation Grant Program, the Renfrew County Teachers’ Local of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, Meridian Credit Union and Michaels.
Organizers noted that the Shamrock Park parking lot will be closed for the duration of the event to accommodate vendors and activities.
(Steve Berard)
