'Windsor-Essex’s most colourful event' returns Sunday for the 32nd annual Pride Fest Parade

Windsor-Essex Pride Fest Parade on Aug. 11, 2024. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

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."