Huntsville showed off its Pride at River Mill Park to kick off the annual Muskoka Pride Festival

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The ninth annual Muskoka Pride Festival kicked off on Friday, July 21 with a barbecue and party in River Mill Park.

The festival has come a long way. “In 2009, we had 26 people at our very first picnic,” says organizer Shawn Forth. “Last year, we had 400 people and 850 people attended all the different events over the course of the week.”

He’s expecting a similar turnout this year and Forth says anyone planning to attend any of the Muskoka Pride events can expect a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. “We really want to bring the Muskoka attitude to Pride festivities. It’s Pride with a waterfront view. Anyone is welcome to attend – gay, straight, bi, trans, anywhere on the rainbow spectrum, and it’s important for allies to come out as well.”

The Muskoka community overall has been supportive, says Forth. “It really is an accepting and inclusive community. Every community has a little ways to go and Muskoka Pride sees itself as an organization helping to build those bridges.”

Vicki Malezis (left) and Laura Horsman have been together 26 years and got married in 2005

TD showed off its Muskoka Pride, too (from left) Natalie Peech, Alyssa Favero, Heather Rawding, Michelle Gardiner (in back), Arlene Barands, Alex Gardiner and (in front) Sadie Gardiner.

Jordyn Earl brought rainbows galore to the Muskoka Pride Festival kick-off

RBC’s (from left) Carol Howorucha, Jackie Dikeos, Karen Kropf, Elizabeth O’Connor, and Linda Topping show off their Muskoka Pride

Norman Wagner (left) and Bryan MacKenzie

Moosekokie flew the Pride flag in honour of the festival

(From left) Greg Perras, Todd Bolivar and Alex Jones

The kick-off party featured a free barbecue, music, games, and community information. More events are planned across Muskoka through to July 30 – see the full schedule here.

John Taylor-Morin served up delicious food from the grill

Information about Muskoka Pride was at the ready thanks to helpful volunteers

There were games, too

And festival-goers could leave messages in chalk on a Muskoka chair

For more information about Muskoka Pride, visit muskokapride.com or call 1-866-659-LGBT (5428). Family and friends of people identifying as LGBTQ who are looking for support can contact PFLAG or watch for meetings in Muskoka.

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