An explosion of colour emblazoned midtown Windsor as one of the region's most popular festivals returned to pre-pandemic form.
Windsor Essex PrideFest reached its climax on Sunday morning when its signature parade went down Ottawa Street. It was the first time in three years that a full-blown parade was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival was held on a scaled-down basis in 2020 and 2021.
It was the 30th anniversary of Pride in Windsor-Essex. Thousands of people lined the parade route early to see over 50 units march to the festival site at Lanspeary Park. Units included those representing Windsor Police, Windsor Fire and Rescue, Essex-Windsor EMS, labour unions, area companies, and LGBTQ+-friendly places of worship.
Also participating were candidates for Windsor mayor and for the Ward 4 seat on City Council, Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk, and MPP Andrew Dowie.
Windsor-Essex PrideFest began last week with the traditional rainbow flag raising near Windsor City Hall. This year the festival included many family-friendly activities, vendors, live music, and performers ranging from DJs to nationally-known drag acts.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit also held a free monkeypox vaccine clinic at Lanspeary Park Sunday.
