Stay It With Pride: South Eastern Ontario Pride Trail

South Eastern Ontario

The spring & summer months in South Eastern Ontario are a time for getting together and celebrating warm weather, good vibes, and love in all its forms. So pull out your Pride gear and rainbow accessories and put them to good use this year with a trail through South Eastern Ontario to hit up all the great Pride events happening throughout the region!

 

Pride Parade #1: Napanee – June 1, 2024 

Greater Napanee Pride is the proud host of the annual Pride parade for the Greater Napanee area and a vendor fair. Both of these events will be taking place on June 1, 2024, with their parade taking place at 11:00 am at the Napanee Conservation Park, located at 20 Pearl Street in Napanee. The parade will conclude back in the Park with the vendor market, featuring local artisans, live music, and activities, until 4:00 pm. Be sure to score tickets to the after-hours “Pride in the Country” event, which features both an all-ages entry for earlier in the evening and a 19+ event that runs later into the evening and showcases a line-up of incredible drag performers.

Before the kick-off of Pride in the Country, be sure to visit the Waterfront River Pub and Terrace for dinner – featuring incredible waterside views, and a proud supporter of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, score a patio table and tuck into their mouthwatering dishes. They have a variety of separate menus available to accommodate a variety of diets including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, and even offer Napanee River Tours. They are also the only location in Napanee currently offering drag brunches with local drag celebrity, Oktavia! 

Make the most of your time enjoying Napanee Pride by staying locally at the Dowling House Country Inn and Retreat. Robert and his partner run this adorable country stay that boasts the perfect opportunity to travel with your whole crew, as the property can sleep up to 16 guests (plus furry friends!). It is also conveniently located in Napanee, which makes it super easy to score a local taxi or Uber to and from Pride in the Country so you can indulge in some adult beverages and have peace of mind that you have a safe ride back to your accommodation.

The next morning, pack up the car and head an hour-and-a-half east to Kemptville to take part in their annual Pride events!

Pride Parade #2: Kemptville – June 2, 2024

A vibrant and inclusive celebration of love will take place in Kemptville on June 2, 2024, hosted by the folks at North Grenville Pride. Festivities kick off at 10:30 am with the Pride Parade at Riverside Park and will travel down Prescott Street. After the parade, head over to the Kemptville Campus, 40 Campus Drive in Kemptville, to enjoy a day packed with delicious food truck eats, shopping at vendors and artisan stalls in their market, and family-friendly drag performances on the main stage, going until 4:30 pm that afternoon.

After wrapping up at Pride, check in to your accommodation for the evening at the Kemptville Suites, located right downtown Kemptville. These luxurious suites are immaculately designed and curated with local art and exposed stone walls and are conveniently located right around the corner from great dinner spots like Salamanders Restaurant and Hyde Smokehouse & Bar.

The next morning be sure to start off on the right foot with breakfast at Bubba & Bugs Coffee Bar – proudly 2SLGBTQIA+ owned and operated and just a short walk from your suite. Score a handcrafted hot or cold beverage of your choice, and be sure to grab yourself one of their incredible “eggie” sandwiches served on a delicious handmade buttermilk biscuit. You should also consider stopping by the Crusty Bakers on your way back to your car and pick up some treats for later in the day – we highly recommend their bacon butter tarts!

Be sure to schedule some time to explore the Rideau Woodland Ramble to explore their magical gardens. They have a full trail system through their stunning gardens and also offer a full garden centre to take a piece of Kemptville home with you for your own garden. Looking for something a little more adventurous? Stop by Drifters Outdoors Canoe & Kayak Rentals. They offer (you guessed it!) canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals to get you out on the water in the Kemptville Creek and Rideau Canal system.

Pride Parade #3: Brockville – June 8, 2024

Brockville Pride will kick off its Pride celebrations with activities starting on June 3 and continuing throughout the week leading up to their Pride Parade and vendor fair on June 8, 2024. They will have several activities including a comedy night, Lunch and Learns, a paint night, and much more, all culminating into the Pride Parade and volleyball tournament the following day. Follow the parade route down two blocks of King Street, past City Hall, and ending at Hardy Park for the vendor fair. Shop the vendors in the park and be sure to check out the Brockville Railway Tunnel – Canada’s first railway, originally completed in 1860 and now renovated and open to the public for free (though donations are accepted!).

Grab some dinner at 1000 Islands Brewing Co., located right in the middle of downtown Brockville, and home to Brockville’s local craft brews and delicious eats. Enjoy a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich or a warming bowl of jambalaya with a flight of their delicious, handcrafted brews. Another great option would be the Barley Mow – serving up 1000 Islands Brewing beers, boasting a big menu with lots of variety, and a regular venue for local drag queen, Ophelia Upp!

Spend the night at 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly 48 West – a luxurious boutique hotel in downtown Brockville and within walking distance of great dining, attractions, and shopping! The next morning consider a walk down King Street to score some great retail finds, or head over to Skedaddle Escape Rooms to give your brain a workout with one of their three escape rooms. Consider coming for Pride festivities with a group of friends and registering for the Pass for Pride Volleyball Tournament taking place during the day on June 9th!

Other great Pride events for you to consider:

Loud & Proud in Prince Edward County – they’ve curated the ultimate Prince Edward County Pride Month bucket list, packed with fun and inclusive events for everyone to enjoy.

Belleville – June 8th, 2024

The fine folks at Bay of Quinte Pride will be hosting their annual Pride parade Downtown Belleville on June 8th, 2024. The parade will conclude at Zwicks Park with Pride in the Park activities and vendor fair, and kick back after hours with Pride After Dark at the Smokin’ 116 Bistro!

Kingston – June 15th, 2024

Kingston Pride will be hosting their annual Pride festivities from June 8th-June 16th, with their parade cruising along Princess Street in Downtown Kingston on June 15th, 2024. The downtown core will be alive with activity that day, including a community fair and events in Springer Market Square. They will be having many activities taking place the week leading up to their parade, including queer trivia and karaoke nights partnered with local breweries. 

Gananoque – July 13, 2024

The annual festivities in Gananoque will be hosted by the Gananoque Pride Alliance from July 8th-13th. Their Pride parade and festival will be taking place on July 13th with the parade travelling down King Street in downtown Gananoque and ending with a vendor fair and live entertainment in Joel Stone Park, right on the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River.

Cornwall – July 20, 2024

Diversity/Diversité Cornwall will be celebrating their Pride festivities throughout the communities of Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG) and Akwesasne from July 12th-July 21, 2024. Their Pride Parade and festival will be their main event, occurring on July 20th from 11:00am to 6:00pm. The parade route will travel from the Aquatic Centre to Lamoureux Park where there will be a day full of free, family friendly activities including live music, drag performances, bouncy castles, a BBQ and beer tent, face painting, petting zoo, carnival games and more!  

The information provided here is current at the time of publication and is subject to change. Please check websites for listings of upcoming events, costs, availability and weather and road conditions that may affect operations.