Chalmers Pride back on May 30

Elmwood

East Kildonan

Take pride, Elmwood.

For the second year, the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation will be hosting a pride event for the local community. Slated for Friday, May 30 at 243 Henderson Hwy., the free event will kick off June with a variety of activities and entertainment for families and adults alike.

“I think our big goal when we started this (last year), is to make it more accessible,” said Amy Wood, volunteer co-ordinator and housing opportunity wayfinder at CNRC. Wood is queer and uses they/she pronouns.

“Especially for folks in this area, with it being a lower income area, it can be hard to get to places in the city outside of the neighbourhood. So going to The Forks (for Pride Winnipeg) might be a little bit more challenging,” they said. “It’s multiple bus rides … it can be a little bit difficult to access events like that, or people just might not be comfortable going to that area. So it’s nice to have something that’s based here, in the community.”

Elmwood has been home to a growing queer community, as well, Wood added, which was one of the motivations for getting the pride event going last year.

“It’s nice to be able to have an event to let that community know that there’s a community here for them, as well,” they said. “Because I don’t think people think of this as a typically queer community, but it’s nice to let people know that there is a presence.”

From 4 to 6 p.m., there will be dog yoga and zumba — highlights from last year’s week-long event — kids activities such as art and crafts, and a chance for people and families to mingle and spread positivity.

“We’ll have colouring set up — origami, chalk — so that the kids can draw,” Wood said. “It’s all paved over (on-site), so we thought it’d be nice to let the kids draw leave positive messages there and things like that. And then we’re also going to have supplies there for them to make garlands and wands.”

Following an event intermission with a special guest from 6 to 6:30 p.m., adult entertainment will begin and continue until 9 p.m.

The entertainment will include live music by Witchy Woods, a drag performance by the local Superstars Drag Group, which is made up of <3VA, Aria Zera, C.L.A.M., The Yellow Belle, and Waaseyaa Haze, and other dance performers.

There will also be a beer garden and food provided by JC’s Tacos and More (187 Henderson Hwy.) will be available to purchase throughout the event.

Witchy Woods, the Superstars Drag Group and JC Tacos and More have been involved in CNRC events in the past, and Wood considers them close supporters of the non-profit.

“It’s really, really awesome,” they said, of the good relationship with the drag group.

This year’s event was also supported by the late city councillor Jason Schreyer.

”He was one of our big supporters and a big close friend of our center, and he supported pride last year,” Wood said. “It’s nice that we’re able to keep the event going to honour his support of the community, as well.”

“It’s going to be a very special event and we’re all really looking forward to it.”

Although it’s past the cut-off point for Pride volunteers, the CNRC will be hosting Happy Days on Henderson on June 14, as well as the Elmwood Night Market in August. Volunteers are always welcome and encouraged.

For more information about the organization, visit chalmersrenewal.org

To stay knowledgable of Pride events happening in and around Winnipeg throughout the month of June, check out @queermanitoba on Instagram.