Mother Nature played a role in getting Elliot Lake and Northshore's Pride Festival weekend off to a strong start as forecasted rain stayed away for a Friday morning raising of the rainbow Pride flag outside Elliot Lake City Hall.
That ceremony was accompanied by the reading of a civic proclamation on the lawn at city hall at 10 a.m. by Elliot Lake Mayor Dan Marchisella. Elliot Lake Pride organization officials invested their 7th Emperor and Empress, Steve Meawasige and Lady Anya Face (Donnie C). Flag raising ceremonies were also held at Blind River, Township of North Shore, Spanish and Serpent River. Nearby on the entrance crosswalk at the front of Elliot Lake City Hall, recently-painted rainbow stripes courtesy of Elliot Lake Rotary helped set the scene.
After the 3 p.m. flag-raising at Serpent River First Nation, Pride officials hosted a traditional Indigenous fish fry at Sumac Creek Tipi Company.
Back in Elliot Lake Friday night at 7 p.m. is Drag Queen Blingo at the Moose Lodge. Michelle Dubarry and D’Manda Tension join the group from Toronto for an evening of fun for adults only.
The evening wraps up with an event kickoff party at the Fireside Grill off Highway 108 at 9 p.m.