Organizers of Saint John Pride are hoping to build on last year’s success.
The 2025 iteration of the popular festival takes place from Aug. 8 to 17.
President Alex Saunders said they want it to become the Halifax Pride of New Brunswick.
“Saint John just brings a funkiness to things that a lot of places in our province don’t really have,” Saunders said in an interview.
“I think that we, being at the exact right spot … we can meet up in Saint John and have a really, really good time.”
The 2024 festival was one of the most successful ever and drew record-breaking attendance, according to organizers.
Organizers are bringing back some of the most popular events, including Prismatique at the Waterfront Container Village.
That event will feature drag headliners The Virgo Queen, the season five winner of Canada’s Drag Race, and legendary drag king Kreme Inakuchi from Toronto.
Saint John Pride will also introduce a “tea dance” to kick off the week at the Saint John Public Gardens, in collaboration with the Saint John Horticultural Association.
Originating from queer culture in the mid-20th century, tea dances provided a social and celebratory space for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals when other venues were not available to them.
Organizers have also announced a new partnership with Bangor Pride and are extending an open invitation to all 2SLGBTQIA+ Americans.
Saunders said Saint John Pride’s board secretary Vivian Myers-Jones, a dual citizen and a veteran of American wars, forged a strong bond with Pride organizers in Bangor.
“Our people are friendly and there’s a lot less turmoil happening up here,” they said. “The thing about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is that we’re like a culture of cultures.”
Saunders said Saint John Pride is also committed to hosting events throughout the Greater Saint John region and Kings County in order to make Pride celebrations accessible to as many people as possible.
The goal, they said, is to create inclusive spaces in diverse communities and engage a broader audience in the spirit of Pride.
The 22nd annual Saint John Pride Parade will take place on Aug. 16, with details of the route still being worked out.
