The CK Gay Pride Association has nine days of activities planned for Pride Week 2024.
It starts on Saturday, August 10 with a Pride Dance at Jazz Bah, followed by a Diversity Service and Luncheon at St. Andrew's United Church on Sunday.
"Flag raising at the Civic Centre on Monday at Noon, a pub night at Sons of Kent, our movie night on Thursday at the Capitol Theatre, and our annual bonfire," said Marianne Willson, President of CK Pride. "Then of course, we'll end that week next week with our parade and festival on August 17."
Pride Fest will include vendors, food, foam, water fun, face painting, and a drag competition.
A number of this year's activities will take place at Bill's Place on Centre St. in Chatham. It's the office space for Chatham Kent Gay Pride Association but is also a community hub and safe space for the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Many people have wondered why Chatham-Kent's Pride celebrations take place in August.
"In Canada, August of 1971, was the first march on Parliament Hill in Ottawa where we brought together and commemorated our protest and fight against criminalization, harassment, and surveillance of the LGBTQ community." said Willson.
The full schedule of events and the parade route can be found online at https://www.ckpride.com/pride/.
