St. Thomas, Ontario, kicks off Elgin County Pride Week today with a flag raising ceremony at City Hall at 11:00 AM, marking the start of a week-long celebration of the local 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Organized by the Rainbow Optimist Club of Southwestern Ontario, the event is described as “a celebration of acceptance, diversity, inclusivity and respect for all in Elgin County.” This year’s Pride Week comes as St. Thomas prepares for a change in leadership, with Mayor Joe Preston, a longtime supporter of Pride initiatives, having announced he will not seek re-election in the 2026 municipal election.
The main event, “Pride in the Park,” is scheduled for July 25 at Pinafore Park. Based on previous years, attendees can expect a vibrant festival with vendors, community organizations, live music, drag performances, and a youth zone. The 2025 event featured over 42 vendors and entertainment including karaoke with drag queens.
This year also marks the 11th year of Pride celebrations in St. Thomas, which began with the inaugural Pride Week in July 2016. The event was initially championed by then-Mayor Heather Jackson. Elgin County’s first council-proclaimed Pride Week was held July 20–26, 2020. In 2022, Mayor Joe Preston raised the Pride flag at St. Thomas City Hall and proclaimed August 8–14, 2022 as Pride Week in the city.
The celebration honors the legacy of Martin Withenshaw, founder of the Rainbow Optimist Club and co-founder of Elgin County Pride, who passed away in November 2024. “Withenshaw expanded his support to Elgin County, by founding Elgin County Pride, with Pride week becoming official in 2020,” according to his biography. Current organizers Devon Church and Neil Hubert continue his work.
Community members can find details about all Pride Week events and activities at elgincountypride.com.
