The second annual Sarnia-Lambton PrideFest will be held this weekend with several family-fun activities expected to take place at Centennial Park.
The three-day event will kick off on Friday night.
Diversity Ed Co-Founder and Executive Director Crystal Fach said entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights are ticketed events but daytime activities on Saturday and Sunday are free to attend.
"But we always want to share that if there are people, especially queer and trans people in the community, that finances are a barrier, please come to the box office and we will make sure that you have access to the evening events," Fach said.
Friday night is the "BIPOC Extravaganza" which stands for Black, Indigenous, People of Colour. Fach said several drag performers will be at the Suncor Agora along with Chelazon Leroux from Canada's Drag Race.
During the day on both Saturday and Sunday, Fach said several vendors, food trucks, and family-fun activities will be set up at Centennial Park. Details can be found on Diversity Ed's Facebook page.
Saturday night will feature Canadian Singer/Songwriter Sarah Smith.
The final day of PrideFest will include a glitter march along Front Street, beginning around 11 a.m.
Fach said last year's inaugural event was really well attended.
"We think that this is such an important festival that really celebrates queer and trans people," Fach said. "Especially in the climate of the world right now where we're seeing an increase of violence and hate toward our community, so I think it's so important that our community gets out there, our allies get out there and just have fun and celebrate who we are."
Fach said security will be in place as they're always aware of possible protests that may occur.
"We also have a group coming down called the 'Drag Storytime Guardians' which is a collective of queer folks and allies who come down and create a love wall outside of our events, that are going to be there to just sing songs," they said. "They're not there to engage with protestors, just show their support and make sure that our young people feel safe in that space."
Fach said they have also discussed event details with members of the Sarnia Police Service.
