Stratford Winter Pride gets going on Thursday, with a full itinerary of events right through the long weekend, including on Family Day.
The third annual celebration is held at locations across the Festival City, and hosted by Stratford Pride Community Centre (SPCC).
The first of the SPCC-hosted events is the Greet and Feast Rainbow Potluck today (Thursday). It is a chance to meet community members and to bring a favourite dish to share. It takes place at the SPCC from 6 p.m. to 8:30 pm.
A comedy night is planned for Friday, featuring Adrienne Fish and Kyle Brownrigg, located at Grayson Mills, 114 Erie St. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Winter Pride Birds of a Feather Gala is on Saturday, also at Grayson Mills, at 6 p.m. The gala is hosted by Brock Hart, chairperson of the SPCC, and Heather McDowell, the organization's executive director, SPCC. It features Lukas Stark, a mentalist, and will include a silent auction.
Food will be provided by local restaurants and all of the auction items have been donated by locals.
Organizers are focusing on being more inclusive to everyone in the community.
This year’s theme is 'Birds of a Feather', inspired by the Festival production, La Cage aux Folles.
The community centre is piloting a partnership program, Winter Pride Partners, allowing other organizations around the city to host events under the Winter Pride umbrella, including a Queer Vendor Market, from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Friday at Matilda Art Gallery, featuring Queer artists and vendors.
Immediately following the gala, also at Grayson Mills, there will be a dance party with DJ Trish. Music starts at 9 p.m.
A drag brunch at Café Bouffon is set for Sunday, at noon. It features Messy Margaret, Gal Axy, and Brattery Acid, three drag performers.
Weekend passes, allowing entrance to the comedy night, gala, dance party, and drag bunch, are available.
To cap off the celebrations there will be a drag storytime event on Monday (Family Day), and a free youth art event at Matilda Swanson Gallery at 1 p.m., where queer artists will be on hand to provide mentorship to anyone interested.
All events can be booked through Eventbrite and can be found here.
- with files from Connor Luczka