'Windsor-Essex’s most colourful event' returns Sunday for the 32nd annual Pride Fest Parade
The Windsor-Essex Pride Fest Parade returns to Ottawa Street Sunday morning.
The parade begins on Argyle Road and continues down Ottawa Street to Lanspeary Park.
IN PHOTOS: Windsor-Essex Pride Fest Parade
"Come early to get a good spot," suggested Windsor-Essex Pride Fest President Wendi Nicholson.
The event caps off more than a week of local Pride Fest festivities. Nicholson told CTV News that officials expect upwards of 3,000 people to attend.
"It's the same as every year," Nicholson explained. "Show your colours, come out, be proud, be supportive."
According to organizers, the parade and festival are attended by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, their allies, friends, family, and supporters.
Windsor-Essex Pride Fest says the festival focuses on bringing all different segments and groups together to celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and its accomplishments while raising awareness of ongoing challenges including exclusion, discrimination, harassment, and assault.
Nicholson continued, "Everybody be proud of who you are. Don't hide. Don't think that you're alone. There's a massive community here ready to support everyone, no matter who you are."
"And the allies now, my goodness, we have so many allies. I can't even say enough for allies. They're just amazing."
The parade steps off at 11 a.m.
"I don't get nervous very often. I'm good with public speaking crowds, but I got a little nervous for this because it's so important and means so much," said Windsor-Essex Pride Fest's official ambassador Dan MacDonald, who marched at the front of the parade. "It's so meaningful to me and it's just such a huge honour. It really is bigger than me. So I wanted to make sure it went right. It's been such a beautiful, wonderful day."
MacDonald added, "It's been a phenomenal Windsor-Essex Pride Fest despite what you see online. I do think Windsor is full of love and acceptance and nothing proves that more than today with what's happening here."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'You've got to feed the change beast': Experts look ahead to Liberal caucus retreat
With the federal Liberals set to meet for their annual caucus retreat this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the party, need to be clear about their policy direction and open to change, according to two experts and an MP.
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
Opposition presidential candidate Gonzalez flees Venezuela for asylum in Spain
Former Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez has fled into exile after being granted asylum in Spain, delivering a major blow to millions who placed their hopes in his upstart campaign to end two decades of single-party rule.
Kentucky community told to stay vigilant amid manhunt for ‘armed and dangerous’ person of interest in interstate shooting
Residents are being told to remain vigilant as a manhunt continues for an 'armed and dangerous' person of interest in the shooting that wounded five people Saturday on an interstate in a rural area of Laurel County, Kentucky, authorities said.
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
Mother of Georgia shooting suspect called school to warn of emergency, aunt says
The mother of the 14-year-old who has been charged with murder over the fatal shooting of four people at his Georgia high school called the school before the killings, warning staff of an 'extreme emergency' involving her son, a relative said.
Timeline: The rise and fall of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's political fortunes
In the wake of the NDP withdrawing its automatic support of the minority Liberal government, here is a timeline of key events charting the arc of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's fortunes in federal politics.
Corn maze honours a N.B. hockey team's golden shutout season
Last season, the UNB Reds went undefeated all year. In the playoffs, they didn't just win each game, they shut out every team they faced.
Intruder breaks into Richmond daycare
It was a parent’s worst nightmare early Friday morning at a Richmond daycare, when an intruder broke into the centre.