Thunder Bay’s Pride festivities are taking on a new shape this autumn following the cancellation of the summer parade and festival due to severe weather. The replacement event, named Rainbow Revival, is set to occur at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition (CLE) this Saturday. Organizers view this as an opportunity to unite the community in October, which is recognized as 2SLGBTQ+ History Month in Canada.
Scotia Kauppi, chair of Thunder Pride, explained that the original Pride parade and festival scheduled for July at the Friendship Gardens had to be called off due to unsafe weather conditions, including thunderstorms. Consequently, the event had to be rescheduled for October, coinciding with 2SLGBTQ+ History Month in Canada.
Rainbow Revival will commence with a march around the CLE grounds from noon to 1 p.m., followed by indoor festivities. Kauppi emphasized the need for caution to prevent any further weather-related disruptions, clarifying that while a parade was not feasible due to time and financial constraints, a march would still take place.
The family-friendly portion of Rainbow Revival, running from 1 to 4 p.m., will offer food, vendors, games, and live performances by Equality Rocks, Embody Dance Collective, Drag Artist Sophia Sapphire, and MC Talon Firebird. The evening program, open to those aged 19 and above, will kick off at 6 p.m. and feature acts such as rapper Phineas Gauge, Mister E, and Vixen Vox, with admission priced at $5.
Embody Dance Collective, a Thunder Bay-based performance company, will showcase a piece titled Tap In, blending jazz funk and hip hop styles. Founder Emma Dubinsky highlighted the interactive nature of their performance and its alignment with the inclusive spirit of Pride.
Kauppi underscored the significance of community in Pride celebrations, emphasizing that the size or location of the event is secondary to the communal experience. The primary goal, Kauppi stated, is to foster a sense of togetherness within the community, regardless of the setting.
Overall, Rainbow Revival aims to provide a platform for celebration, diversity, and self-expression, embodying the core values of Pride while offering a space for individuals from varied backgrounds and identities to come together in solidarity.