ERIN – Despite the weather's best efforts, attendees filled the air with rainbows at the town of Erin's first official Pride event this Saturday at McMillan Park.
Starting with words from event organizers Tracey Wallace and Laura Bannayan, the event saw about one hundred people throughout the day who visited booths like queer-owned O.W.L and the Crafty Beaver and participated in all-ages activities including a cake decorating contest, drag queen story time, a Disney-themed drag show and other musical performances.
"I feel elated that this is finally happening, I'm really emotional. I'm seeing people who have come home from moving away because they're being included in our community today and that is my eternal goal," said Wallace. "We've had people who have moved away from Erin because it was not inclusive and they're here. I mean that's all we need. That's the only thanks that I can even ask for."
The leading force behind local Pride processions in 2020 and 2021, Wallace has wanted to host an official Pride event in Erin for years but financial, timing and council challenges thwarted her attempts in 2022 and 2023.
Wallace said the event wouldn't be possible without Bannayan, who owns property in Erin and got involved in funding the event after she heard about their struggles with fundraising.
"I grew up in the middle of nowhere and there was no representation and I keep saying it's not acceptable that you have to leave your home to feel at home," said Bannayan. "If you don't have community in your community and you have to go to someone else's, that's not telling you that you're loved and that you belong."
Chris Bailey, co-owner of Brighten Up Toys and Games with his wife, Stephanie, said he and Wallace have been talking about hosting a Pride event since the business opened almost 13 years ago.
The event was cut short due to weather but organizers said the performances from Fat Scheid and the Merry Melodies and Doll Haus Events will be rescheduled.
"Our concern there was you can't have a crowd of people out in the park and then rain, especially if we get storms," said Bailey. "This kind've set up where it's more of a pop-up feel ... it might not be something where (attendees) feel like they have to come a long time but at least they can still come and be part of it."
Several members of Erin council attended the event including Mayor Michael Dehn and county Coun. Jeff Duncan. The town of Erin designated Erin Pride as a municipally-relevant event in October 2023.
"(Pride) is just another celebration like any other cultural or religious celebration but I really want to see this continue because it shows what an accepting of a community Erin is," said Dehn. "Our community is changing and it's going to be changing a lot more as it grows so the more acceptance we have early on, the easier it will be."
One of their first Pride's since coming out, attendee Drag Monarch Blue Heaven Kennedy said it's nice the town is willing to put on events like Erin Pride especially considering how "not affirming" some rural towns can be.
Another attendee, Alex Hoddinott said it was his first Pride event of the season and came from Guelph with his mom to check it out.
"It's honestly cool seeing other people that are trans and part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community," said Hoddinott. "It's nice to just connect with people."
The event ended with a Disney drag performance from drag queen Sapphyre Poison and drag kings, Justin Cider and King Freddie.
"It feels nice to be home and to be able to bring some art, some drag, and some fun times to celebrate Pride in the town I grew up in...I wish I was able to go to something like this (in Erin) when I was (a child)," said Freddie, who grew up in Erin.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
