Tri-Pride music festival is returning to Victoria Park

WATERLOO REGION — TriPride is back and so are the rainbow flags.

After nearly disbanding last year, the Tri-Pride Community Association returns stronger than ever with two weeks of events to celebrate the region’s LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and questioning) community.

The live music festival is also back this year and will take place at Victoria Park, just like in the early days of the 20-year-old local celebration.

“People wanted to go back to the park and have that outdoor festival feel,” association president Alex Chunaco said.

Tri-Pride was at risk of collapsing last year because of a lack of volunteers. Although the group attracted new members to the fold after a public plea last spring, last year’s music festival was cancelled and the group hosted a series of small events instead.

“It takes a lot of work to do it,” Chunaco pointed out.

This year, the group is back with fresh ideas and a mix of old and new volunteers.

Chunaco said that while there is a sense of “renewal” this year the group can always use more volunteers. Like many community organizations, Tri-Pride is also struggling to attract new members.

The rainbow community still faces challenges every day and the fight isn’t over, he said. That is why Tri-Pride is so important to keep alive.

“There are still significant challenges for the transgender, racialized and indigenous communities.”

Chunaco said pride organizations traditionally have had leadership that is not very diverse. There are groups within the LGBTQ community that can feel left out because it is more difficult for them to get involved, he said, speaking in part based on his experience as a person of colour.

“We can’t leave those people behind.”

“The most important thing is getting the community together no matter how small the events.”

He pointed out that Spectrum, a local rainbow community group that organizes workshops, offers culturally specific programming such as workshops for newcomers to Canada.

Tri-Pride started on Tuesday evening with an LGBTQ crafting group and OK2BME youth group. It will end on Sunday, June 4, with a picnic in Victoria Park.

Tri-Pride will celebrate for two weeks with multiple events scheduled each day. Here are a few highlights: Saturday, May 27 — Festival kickoff party at The Order

Monday, May 29 — Dinner fundraiser at Borealis Grill and Bar as well as Embers Restaurant at Holiday Inn in Kitchener

Tuesday, May 30 — LGBT crafting group

Thursday, June 1 — Comedy night at Descendents Brewery

Friday, June 2 — Tri-Pride at the races at Grand River Raceway

Saturday, June 3 — Tri-Pride Live Music Festival

Sunday, June 4 — Picnic at Victoria Park and march to Kitchener City Hall

Waterloo Regional Police Services will raise a rainbow flag on Thursday to commemorate Pride Week. It’s the second year the police service has participated.

For a more detailed schedule and ticket information for specific events, go to the website at www.tri-pride.ca.