About the Festival

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Since its humble beginning as a small march of about 100 people in Windsor back in 1992, the Pride Festival has become one of our community’s most anticipated cultural attractions. Now 30 years later, Windsor-Essex Pride Fest continues to promote equality and diversity through a range of entertainment, cultural, artistic and educational events created for all to enjoy.

The festival is produced by the Windsor-Essex Pride Fest, a non-profit run by a volunteer Board of Directors. The event brings together members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) community, their friends, allies and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of our community by producing quality, inclusive and safe events and initiatives to celebrate. Windsor-Essex Pride Fest strengthens the sense of community and contributes to the vibrancy, health and overall well-being of persons in the LGBTQ2S+ of Windsor-Essex.

Windsor-Essex Pride Fest aims to promote equality and diversity through all of its events. We use theatre, music, art, entertainment and educational elements to raise awareness of discrimination and the issues and difficulties affecting the lives of LGBTQ2S+ people around the world. Our festival is an explosion of Pride in the heart of Windsor at Lanspeary Park on Ottawa Street, attracting more than 7,000 people in a celebration of diversity. Through this we aim to promote a sentiment in favour of equality, uniting people in a celebrative atmosphere where all are welcome, and fostering a sense of community within the Windsor-Essex LGBTQ2S+ population.

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The Parade

The annual Pride Parade begins at Ottawa Street & Monmouth Road and proceeds down Ottawa Street to Lanspeary Park. Since 1992, the Parade and Festival have traditionally been attended by the LGBT community and their allies from Southwestern Ontario and Michigan. This year’s festival focuses on bringing all different segments and groups together to celebrate the accomplishments we have made in the Windsor-Essex region and Canada as a whole.

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Be in the Parade

Pride Vendors

The Windsor-Essex Pride Fest is one of the largest Pride festivals in Southwestern Ontario; which also draws many attendees from throughout the region and our neighbours in nearby communities and out-of-town visitors from Michigan and Ohio. More than 35 vendors and community information tables make up our Vendor Marketplace every year.

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Become a Vendor

Volunteers

Our volunteers make our festival happen. All the planning before the Windsor-Essex Pride Fest becomes reality with the help of hundreds of weekend volunteers that commit their time. Find out how you can add your skills, personality and pride towards this year’s Windsor-Essex Pride Fest. Be part of the magic....be the difference...volunteer with us!

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Volunteer Application

Entertainment

Performers are essential to have at all Windsor-Essex Pride Fest events because they captivate and entertain attendees using only their pure artistic talent. Regardless of how elaborate or simple a performance may be, performers always make events worthwhile to attend, and are crucial for their overall success. Whether you’re a DJ, band, solo artist, drag queen/king, dancer, comedian, community group or theatrical troupe, we want to hear from you!

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Entertainer Application