Oxford County Pride Family Fun Day welcomes joy amid series of Pride flag thefts and vandalism

Taylor Abrahamse, who was a contestant on Canadian Idol, is performing. (Emily Stewart photo)

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

Members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies of all ages celebrated pride, diversity, and inclusion during a sunny Saturday afternoon in Woodstock.

The annual Oxford County Pride Family Fun Day returned to Museum Square on June 13. The event featured a variety of Oxford County businesses such as the Kiln Room, Crafty Corner Tea Room, and Commonplace Books and activities such as giant connect-four, bean bag toss, and pick a duck. Family Fun Day also included a variety of live performances from Taylor Abrahamse, Deshkan ZiiBi, and Helena Poison.

"They've been good,” said Tera Russell-Curtis, president of Oxford County Pride, when asked about festivities during the event. “We were all really nervous leading up to today, and once vendors started setting up and everything fell into place, I think we're all a little more comfortable now and happy that we're running this off today."

Oxford County Pride Family Fun Day came after a string of Pride flag thefts and vandalism in the area. Emily Stowe Public School in Norwich Township had its Pride flag removed and burned, and the replacement flag stolen, with the metal flag pole cut down. A church and some residential homes in Norwich also had Pride flags stolen.

Russell-Curtis, who uses she/they pronouns, said events like Oxford Pride Family Fun Day must go on even when such threats to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community occur.

“I think it's important for events like this to continue to happen to show that there are more people who are going to show up and stand up against hate and collectively get together and celebrate love and inclusion,” she said.

Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese, a local business in Norwich and a strong supporter of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, had its business sign and mailbox sawed off and tossed aside the evening before the family fun day event. The cheese producer will host the Cheesy Family Pride Day on June 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will feature bouncy castles, a poutine bar, games, ice cream, face painting, and live music. Russell-Curtis encourages everyone to attend Cheesy Family Pride Day to support Gunn’s Hill.

“They've been a huge ally for the community, and they're a local business in Norwich, so I think it's important to support them,” they said.

Other remaining Oxford County Pride events include an Indigenous drum workshop at Two Row Creations on June 21, a trivia night at Upper Thames River Brewing Co. on June 24, the Big Cityyy Story Adventures Tent Party and a sip and sculpt pottery workshop, both on June 27 at the Woodstock Art Gallery, and a colour party at Crafty Corner Tea Room on June 28. There will be another Oxford County Pride celebration on July 11, with more details to be announced on social media.

More information about Oxford County Pride and its events can be found online by either visiting oxfordpride.ca or the Oxford County Pride pages on Facebook and Instagram.