Fredericton's Pride board steps it up after troubles that marred festival last year
CBC
After Fierté Fredericton Pride 2024 almost didn't happen last summer, a new board is in full swing for the upcoming 2025 Pride festival.
The annual Fierté Fredericton Pride parade will open Pride Week on July 12, followed by an after party in Officers' Square.
"I think it's going to be a really big, exciting thing for the community to all be able to come out, spend some time together and watch some different performances," said Tooth Matchett, one of the board's co-chairs.
Last year, Pride Week had a rocky start, leading the board to step down before the opening event. An interim board stepped in to make sure the festival continued.
The board this year consists of six members, including Ken Spragg, in the new position of safety and security officer. The position was created to ensure the safety of the board and the community throughout the week and at all Pride events.
Matchett and Santiago Restrepo are this year's co-chairs. Matchett stepped in last year as interim co-chair and has resumed to the role this summer.
Although the festival is slightly smaller than usual, Matchett said the board is doing well and working hard to make sure there are events for everyone throughout the week.
"As much as it is technically rewarding work, it takes a lot out of you to do a year of Pride," Matchett said.
While the Pride board is voluntary, a host of volunteers is needed to run the festival's various events as well.
Matchett said at least 50 volunteers, aside from the board, are required "to make sure that we have enough person-power to get everything off the ground."
Just days before the opening event to Pride Week 2024, the previous Pride board, citing harassment, cancelled several events of the 10-day festival. The board at the time also announced some members were resigning.
The decision came after organizers abruptly cancelled a fundraiser drag show "due to unexpected safety concerns." The nature of the safety concerns was not explained by Pride organizers.
Emmanuelle Jackson was a Pride board member for four years until November 2024 and stepped in as interim co-chair last year.
The cancellation upset feelings among others in the community, and outrage quickly escalated to harassment and threats against the board.
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