Grey Bruce Pride Parade and Block Party Return to Downtown Owen Sound on Saturday
The free event runs 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, with a parade along 2nd Avenue East and a block party on 9th Street East that closes the road until 11:30 p.m.
Grey Bruce Pride brings its annual parade and block party back to downtown Owen Sound this Saturday, with programming running from 3 to 11 p.m. and a stretch of 9th Street East closed into the night.
The eighth annual Grey Bruce Pride Parade steps off at 3 p.m. at 10th Street East and runs south along 2nd Avenue East, turning at 8th Street East in front of city hall, according to the organizers. Participants gather beforehand at the Metro grocery store, with access from 11th Street East.
The parade leads into the second annual Big Gay Block Party on the 200 block of 9th Street East. Grey Bruce Pride says the block party runs from 3:30 to 11 p.m., and that the street reopens at 11:30 p.m.
Organizers say the free, all-ages event will feature more than 30 community parade groups and more than 40 vendors, along with a food truck, two licensed patios, a community tent and live entertainment. They say the parade is led by Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer community members.
The day includes Speed Friending at 5 p.m. in the community tent, which Grey Bruce Pride describes as a low-pressure way to meet people — aimed in part at those who are new to the area, attending on their own, or who have few other chances to connect with other 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in a rural region. A fundraiser called Rainbow Roulette invites attendees to spin a wheel and challenge the parade chair to taste hot sauces.
Later in the evening, a glow party with DJ Grrlcrrsh follows, and a Drag King Show takes place at Heartwood Hall, with tickets sold online or in store.
Drivers downtown should expect rolling closures along the 2nd Avenue East parade route in the afternoon and a full closure of the 200 block of 9th Street East through the evening. Organizers direct vehicles off the route to parking behind Greyfair via 1st Avenue East, with additional parking in nearby municipal lots and along 3rd Avenue East.
Grey Bruce Pride lists its key sponsors as Bruce Power, M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre and MacLeans Engineering, and says donations can be made through the United Way. The group also points to summer events, including Rainbow Hikes with local trail clubs and Big Gay Boat Rides with The Big Canoe Project; registration is through its Linktree at linktr.ee/gbpride.
Organizers note the event takes place on the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. Grey Bruce Pride can be reached at greybruceprideinfo@gmail.com.
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