The nagging memory of protests at drag story times in Sarnia were a factor going into this weekend’s Pridefest in Centennial Park, an organizer says.
Thankfully, they remained just a memory as drag performer Amanda Villa sang songs, danced and read books with youngsters Saturday morning at the second annual celebration of inclusivity, said Crystal Fach, with Diversity Ed.
“We had the Drag Storytime Guardians who are from across Ontario, who drove down here from Toronto, London and Strathroy to stand outside to make sure that all of our youth had a good time,” Fach said.
“And no protesters came, but (the guardians) just made sure they welcomed everybody with hugs and smiles and it was beautiful to see.”
LastNovember, protesters attended one of the monthly drag story time events at The Book Keeper in Sarnia.
The community responded at the book store’s next event in February with an All You Need is Love rallyand clashed with protestors, and there haven’t been protests for several months, said the store’s manager Julie Hillier-Vrolyk.
She was co-chairing this weekend’s Pridefest with Fach.
“We’re never going to stop (drag story time)” at The Book Keeper, held the last Saturday of every month, she said.
“Because it’s just the right thing to do, and we’re here for the community.”
Midway through the three-day festival at the Suncor Agora, attendance had been good, Fach said Saturday afternoon.
Attractions included drag shows; a BIPOC night featuring Black, Indigenous and people of color who are artists and who are queer; musicians; about 40 vendors; and booths featuring community service providers, Fach said.
“Anything that you could think of, we got it here,” they said.
New this year, a glitter march was planned Sunday, with participants marching around town before arriving back in Centennial Park for a dance party, Fach said.
“It’s still a protest, but it’s we want people to show who they are, their true colours; glitter themselves up, but also be powerful and just be really present,” they said, noting a glitter march hasn’t happened in Sarnia in 15 or 20 years.
Hopes are to continue Pridefest for years to come, they said.
“We want to keep our population (in Sarnia). We don’t need them leaving to go to Toronto because they don’t feel safe,” Fach said.
“And having events like this get people connected, get them to see that there’s people that care about them and the importance of community.”