Thunder Bay’s Pride festivities are being reimagined this autumn following the cancellation of the summer parade and festival due to inclement weather. The revamped event, known as Rainbow Revival, is set to take place this Saturday at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition (CLE) grounds. Organizers view it as an opportunity to unite the community in October, which coincides with 2SLGBTQ+ History Month in Canada.
Scotia Kauppi, chair of Thunder Pride, explained that the original Pride activities scheduled for July had to be called off because of severe weather conditions, emphasizing the importance of adhering to safety protocols. Consequently, the board had to regroup and reschedule the celebration for October, aligning with the national recognition of 2SLGBTQ+ History Month.
The event will kick off with a march around the CLE grounds from noon to 1 p.m., followed by an indoor gathering. Due to time and budget constraints, a full parade won’t be feasible, so a march will be held instead. The family-friendly portion of Rainbow Revival, running from 1 to 4 p.m., will offer food, vendors, games, and live performances by various artists such as Equality Rocks, Embody Dance Collective, Drag Artist Sophia Sapphire, and MC Talon Firebird.
In the evening, starting at 6 p.m., a program for those aged 19 and above will feature performances by artists like rapper Phineas Gauge, Mister E, and Vixen Vox, with an admission fee of $5. Embody Dance Collective, a local group, will showcase their piece “Tap In,” blending jazz funk and hip hop styles in an interactive performance engaging the audience.
Emma Dubinsky, founder of Embody Dance Collective, expressed how participating in Rainbow Revival aligns with the essence of Pride, emphasizing the celebration of diversity, self-expression, and love. Kauppi highlighted the challenges faced in organizing the event but stressed the community’s eagerness to partake in the festivities and support the performers.
Above all, Kauppi emphasized the significance of community spirit, underscoring that the size or location of the event is secondary to the shared experience of coming together as a community.