Woolwich prepares to host first ever pride event

Woolwich Township will make history when they host their first ever pride event this weekend.

Angie Melchin, one for the organizers who is helping with sponsorship for the event, said that the idea came after comments that were made by former Woolwich Township Councillor Murray Martin.

During a council meeting in August 2022, Murray spoke out against a proposal for a rainbow crosswalk, with comments that included that the crosswalk promoted a lifestyle that is “not correct.”

Murray’s comments received resistance from fellow council members and the community.

Melchin explained that her and two of her friends were inspired by the backlash and decided it was time to put together the community’s first pride event.

“The new councilors were elected in the fall, and we reached out to the council team and just said ‘we have this idea, we would like to bring it forward ‘ and they invited us to speak in front of council in December.” Melchin stated.

The proposal for the pride event received support from Woolwich Township councillors and Mayor Sandy Shantz, who unanimously approved a budget of $1,775 for the event.

Melchin theorized that it’s taken this long for the community to hold it’s first pride event because some people are nervous.

“They might think that Woolwich Township is the community that it used to be twenty, thirty years ago, but it’s not, ” Melchin explained. “It’s changing. There is so much progress being made”

Woolwich Pride will feature approximately twenty vendors from local support services and resources.

The event will also include appearances by local sports teams such as the Woolwich Bulldogs and the community’s minor league hockey team.

The Elmira Sugar Kings will also attend the pride celebration.

Live entertainment, including a performance from the Rainbow Chorus of Waterloo Wellington, will play throughout the entire event.

Magic shows, an obstacle course, face painting, bouncy castles and food trucks will also be featured.

Melchin remarked that the pride event committee is made up of twelve local residents, some of whom belong to the pride community, and have expressed that they did not have the support they needed growing up.

“All of us are here because we want the youth in the community to know that they are loved and that they are supported, and that they live in a community where they can be who they are.”

Woolwich Pride will be held on Saturday, June 17th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit the Woolwich Pride Facebook page.