Rainbow crosswalk installed on Main Street in Port Dover

Ten-year-old Ryder Mandryk was at Main and Chapman Streets in Port Dover on Friday morning to watch the installation of a rainbow crosswalk, the second one in Norfolk County.

“I feel great,” she said. “It’s looks beautiful. This is definitely another dream come true.”

The young LGBTQ advocate was inspired after seeing a rainbow crosswalk in downtown Paris, Ontario and initiated an effort to have one installed in Simcoe.

Norfolk council supported the idea but wasn’t willing to spend taxpayer money on the project, so Mandryk launched a fundraising campaign called Ryder’s Rainbow.

Enough donations were receiving to cover the $15,000 cost of installation in Simcoe in June 2022, and the $17,000 cost in Port Dover.

“We have four to five thousand in the bank that will hopefully go toward another crosswalk if a community speaks up and wants it,” said Adam Veri, Ward 6 councilor for Norfolk County but who is involved in the effort on a personal level. “I’m very happy to help people to make their community a better place. That’s what we’re doing here today.”

Ryder, her mother Melissa Reu, and stepfather Matt Gunton were joined by Helene Larochelle to watch the crosswalk installation.

Gunton said he was gratified to see the positive support in Port Dover for the crosswalk.

“Simcoe was a rough one, and this one has been a smoother transition. It’s nice to see people are getting the idea and accepting it,” he said. “I don’t quite understand all the resistance in Simcoe, but here it seems to be less, and that’s comforting.”

Shortly after the Simcoe crosswalk was finished, Ryder’s stepfather said it was vandalized with paint and skid marks.

“We love what Ryder has accomplished, and when we saw what Simcoe did, we wanted one here. We made a $10,000 donation,” Larochelle said. “We just love this position that everyone should feel welcome. Love is love, and being able to be who you are.

“The rainbow is a symbol of that acceptance, and we want everyone to know that Port Dover is a community built on acceptance.”

Larochelle and her partner own The Port Dover Collection, a company that operates The Dover George luxury boutique hotel on George Street and is in the process of renovating an event venue.

“We’re also going to be revitalizing the old Commercial Hotel on Main Street to bring it back to life,” she noted. “All of our businesses are incredibly inclusive and respect all these different communities.”

A handful of shop owners smiled as they watched Ryder take the first steps on the rainbow crosswalk, stopping to twirl in delight.

“Look how happy she is,” exclaimed Dori Shrubb, owner of Cottage North Soapworks on Main Street. “We’re pretty happy that this is finally here for her. She’s a remarkable young lady.”

Until Friday morning, Shrubb said she thought the crosswalk was going to be installed down the street, closer to the Lighthouse Festival Theater.

“Port Dover is all about inclusiveness, and this is just more proof,” she said, her eyes welling up. “It’s beautiful. These are happy tears.”

To make a donation to future rainbow crosswalks in Norfolk County visit rydersrainbow.com

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