Greater Napanee Pride is a young organization but is growing rapidly.
The second annual Pride in the Country on Saturday features a full slate of events.
Committee vice-chair Nina Irvine says the day starts with a Pride March starting at 11 a.m. at Conservation Park followed by an afternoon of vendors, entertainment and children’s activities.
There will also be a performance by Lucas Silveira, former lead singer of the Cliks.
“He was the first openly transgender musician to be signed to a major record label. He is essential at so many pride festivals in Canada. Every summer, he’s booked up at pride festivals all over Canada. So we’re really excited to have him at Napanee Pride, only our second year in. That feels like, yes, we’ve made it.”
There will also be evening events at Strathcona Paper Centre starting with an all ages show featuring local drag performers.
“We had an all ages show last year as well which is absolutely amazing to watch because, the reaction from the performers to seeing families come out and seeing parents bringing their kids come out to celebrate this environment of inclusivity and just acceptance. It means so much to everybody involved.”
That will be followed by a 19-plus drag show and barn dance with an appearance by DJ Roxy Sunset.
Irvine says it’s amazing how far Greater Napanee Pride has come in just a little over a year.
“But we want to put Napanee on the map for rural pride. We want to let other small towns and other areas like ours know that you can do this. Even if you think you’re gonna get pushback, you can do this. It’s really great too the reception that we’ve got from community members, businesses, parents of queer kids who, you know, come to us and say thank you so much. I want to support my kid and I love that you’re here so that I can show them, I can do that.”
The Conservation Park event is free.
Tickets to the celebrations at Strathcona Paper Centre are still available through their website, greaternapaneepride.com.
