Flag-raising kicks off Windsor-Essex Pride Fest
Windsor-Essex Pride Fest 2017 — the 25th edition — kicked off in Windsor on Wednesday morning with the raising of the Pride flag in front of City Hall. The raising of the flag by Mayor Drew Dilkens kicked off five days of celebration for the local LGBTIQ2S (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning and two-spirited) community.
Windsor-Essex Pride Fest 2017 — the 25th edition — kicked off in Windsor on Wednesday morning with the raising of the Pride flag in front of City Hall.
The raising of the flag by Mayor Drew Dilkens kicked off five days of celebration for the local LGBTIQ2S (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning and two-spirited) community.
About 100 area residents and public officials listen to Mayor Drew Dilkens and singer/musician Michael-John Knoblauch during 2017 Windsor-Essex Pride Fest flag raising ceremony at City Hall Wednesday August 9, 2017. NICK BRANCACCIO / NICK BRANCACCIO
Among the scheduled activities are a Pride Bowling Night Thursday night at Rose Bowl Lanes, a Pride Lawn Bowling Night Friday night at Jackson Park, followed later by the Glitterball at The Rondo night club downtown.
Saturday will feature Glow, an evening outdoor dance music fest at the Riverfront Festival Plaza.
Friends Carol Morris, left, and Mel Lucier chat during Windsor-Essex Pride Fest flag raising ceremony at City Hall Wednesday August 9, 2017. NICK BRANCACCIO / NICK BRANCACCIO
Sunday will feature the annual Pride Parade beginning at 11 a.m. at Ouellette and Elliot avenues and proceeding north of Ouellette to the Riverfront Festival Plaza.
Pride Family Day will continue at the plaza until 7 p.m. and the whole community is invited to come out and enjoy musical performances and vendors.
Event emcee Joe McParland, left, Mayor Drew Dilkens and singer/musician Michael-John Knoblauch share a moment during 2017 Windsor-Essex Pride Fest flag raising ceremony at City Hall Wednesday August 9, 2017. Knoblauch performed the Canadian national anthem and ‘Born This Way.’ NICK BRANCACCIO / NICK BRANCACCIO
Theresa Sims, left, of Can-Am Friendship Centre, shares smudge with David Lenz, president of the Windsor-Essex Pride Fest during flag raising ceremony at City Hall Wednesday August 9, 2017. Behind, Sebastian Pirrone of the Mayor’s Office, observes. NICK BRANCACCIO / WINDSOR STAR
Mayor Drew Dilkens, left, and David Lenz, president of the Windsor-Essex Pride Fest, prepare to raise the Pride flag during Windsor-Essex Pride Fest flag raising ceremony at City Hall Wednesday August 9, 2017. NICK BRANCACCIO / WINDSOR STAR
