THUNDER BAY — The city's 14th annual Pride Parade and Festival will not be happening this Saturday as planned.
With a severe thunderstorm watch in effect, organizers announced that the event will be postponed to a later date.
"Well… Mother Nature decided to throw a little more than glitter our way this weekend!" wrote Thunder Pride officials.
"After closely watching the forecast and discussing as a team, we’ve made the difficult (but safety-first!) decision to postpone this year’s Thunder Pride Festival."
The thunderstorm watch, issued by Environment Canada, warns that weather conditions Friday evening and into the night are are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms. The notice lists possible hazards including wind gusts up to 100 km/h, nickel to toonie sized hail, heavy rainfall and the possibility of a tornado.
Thunder Pride Association promises to announce a new date soon.
"We know how much heart, time, and energy each of you has poured into making this event vibrant and welcoming — from vendor tables and floats to generous sponsorships — and we’re beyond grateful for your flexibility and support as we navigate this unexpected change."
Organizers said they will be reaching out to participating organizations early next week to discuss next steps and answer any questions.
"We remain committed to bringing our 2SLGBTQIA+ community together in a way that is safe, inclusive, and joyful, even if we have to wait just a little bit longer," reads the message from the association.
"Just remember: Pride doesn’t get cancelled. It only gets stronger. "
