For those looking to celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community, the 15th annual Brantford Pride event will take place at Mohawk Park on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Jacqui Fendley, Chair of the Brantford Pride Committee, said the event will feature a host of activities.
“This year we have 75 vendors and community groups who will be attending, so lots of things for people to explore. We also have four drag queens performing including Lucy Purr, Charlize Angel, Thera P and Rubyyy Jones,” she said. “Prinx Lydia is going to be our DJ and we’re also going to have a barbeque serving beef, chicken, halal and vegetarian/vegan options, and meals are $5 cash. At 3 p.m., we’re going to have our pet parade around the park; categories for that are most prideful pet, smallest pet, biggest pet, most unique pet.”
Fendley added that there will also be a low-sensory area for people who get overwhelmed easily.
“There’ll be sunglasses and earplugs, some ice and fans to cool them down if they need it, and lots of other little things in a special tent specifically for that,” she said. “We just want to get that out so that people who get overwhelmed, know that they have an option they can escape to if they need it.”
New to the event this year is Pride Marketplace.
“We’ll have t-shirts and hats, and of course our customary lawn signs; we’ll have rings, bracelets, pins and those kinds of things. We also have our new, custom red gayzebos,” said Fendley. “People were asking for more queer tchotchkes, and we can’t always count on the vendors to have all of that, so we’re doing all of this as part of our fundraising efforts.”
Fendley explained that proceeds will go towards running the big event, weekly pride socials, as well as for events such as Transgender Day of Remembrance, Transgender Day of Visibility and World AIDS Day.
Overall, Fendley said she and the rest of the committee are looking forward to the event.
“We love this event, it really is the best thing. And I think seeing it through the eyes of newcomers has really taught us a lot about what the event means to people,” she said. “Last year we had a group of men from Indonesia that were there, it was their first Pride event ever and it was their first time seeing families coming together and parents supporting their children. They were telling us that they were tearing up seeing young kids dancing with the drag queens, and having a good time while their parents were clapping along. It’s just a celebratory event. I have friends that come from other communities who say that Brantford Pride is one of the best because it really is so wholesome and joyful.”
The Brantford Pride chair added that they are still looking for volunteers, not just for event day but as part of the committee as well.
“We’re always looking for volunteers, and there are lots of opportunities,” said Fendley. “The requirement we have is that you either be part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community or an ally.”
For those interested in partaking in Brantford Pride, the event is rain or shine and will run from 12 to 5 p.m. down by the splash pad.
“Come out, enjoy and plan to spend the day; that was actually one of the things I loved last year, there were a lot of families who brought picnic blankets and enjoyed the event and the entertainment for the day”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
