Niagara gearing up with big Pride Week events after two year absence

Starting this weekend, the Pride community will be taking over Niagara and after a two year absence, they are pulling out all the stop for the 2022 celebrations. Here’s the biggest.

The big kick-off party will be held on Saturday (May 28) where the St. Catharines-based Pride Niagara is taking over the Meridian Centre featuring “RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars” winner Alaska.

The group said the event will be highlighted with a “performance and Meet & Greet with Alaska, as well as the Pride Niagara Ambassador 2022 Competition, a Best Butt/Chest Contest, free swag and giveaways.” As well spotlight DJs will be “taking care of you on the dance floor!”

“Kick off the Niagara Pride festival with a night filled with music, dancing and celebrating PRIDE!”

And what does it take to become an official Pride Ambassador?

According to the group, an abundance of enthusiasm. “So, think you have some talent, something to show off? Feel like busting out and showing everyone your Pride! You can be one of this year’s two Official Pride Niagara Ambassadors! Contestants can be anyone who is Proud and not afraid to show it!”

June 1st will see the Ninth Annual Niagara UNITY Awards being held at Amici’s Banquet and Conference Centre in Thorold. The event is meant to celebrate people and organizations who have made an impact on the LGBTQ+ community.

On June 2, the Pride Prom will be held at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre with performances and prizes, prom-style photos and the crowning of the Nonbinary Prom King and Queen.

Fan favourite Pride in the Pride will be held June 4 at Montebello Park from noon to 10:30 pm featuring special guests “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 10 and “All Stars” season five star Mayhem Miller and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 11 and “Canada’s Drag Race” star Brooke Lynn Hytes.

The all-ages event features tons of music,  food and swag vendors with a fully licensed area, a dance floor and much much more.

The big close-out day, June 5, will see Pride Niagara’s first Hieee Tea takes place at 3 pm in the Robertson Theatre at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.

Hieee Tea will feature high tea foods and tea from the Vegan Hippie Chick with a head table loaded with local LGBTQ2S+ activists, allies, personalities and political figures. While there, tables will be asked to create lists of questions to openly discuss with the head table.

There’s a lot more going on – these are just the biggest events – but if you’re looking for tickets or registration, check out the full docket on their Facebook page right here: Niagara Pride