Title: LGBT Summer Solstice
Location: Various locations around Gananoque
Description: Gananoque will usher in the summer season with it’s inaugural Summer Solstice Pride in the 1000 Islands festival on June 22-24, celebrating diversity and the LGBT community with family fun and free entertainment on the waterfront at the new Joel Stone Heritage Park.

The weekend festival includes a major concert on Saturday, June 23 with Toronto-based Canadian artist Jarvis Church. Jarvis Church is a Grammy and Juno nominated artist with impressive musical credits including a solo hit “Shake It Off” and “Charms”, a top ten hit and a platinum album. Jarvis Church has his roots in Jamaica, his home in Canada and his music is played around the world.

Also on stage on Saturday is Suzie McNeil who is featured on some of INXS’ tracks on the album Switch. McNeil also sang backup for Pink and her single “Believe” on several NBC shows and appeared on stage in the hit production “We Will Rock You”

Circus Orange will perform during the evening with their high impact fire performance and Olympic calibre acrobatic feats. These are the performers that wowed the audience at the Gananoque waterfront in 2011.

A Jazz night in the St. Lawrence Room of the Gananoque Inn will usher the weekend in with a welcome from the organizing committee and guest speakers. The weekend program will close with an LGBT diversity awareness forum and music performances in partnership with local community groups Other weekend events include; Kingston to Gananoque Pride Bike Ride, 1000 Islands cruises with the Gananoque Boat Line, pre show wine and cheese at the 1000 Islands Playhouse, shopping and dining packages, kayaking packages, guided walks in the Frontenac Arch Biosphere, cycling tours and everything the 1000 Islands has to offer.

Kingston to Gananoque Pride Bike Ride

Saturday, June 23 @ 10am, free

Come out and join us on a 30km group bicycle ride from Kingston to Gananoque to celebrate the first annual Summer Solstice Pride in the 1000 Islands festival. Upon arrival in Gananoque, there will be an exciting roster of weekend programming including a free evening concert on the waterfront featuring performances by Jarvis Church, Suzie McNeil and Circus Orange. Stay the night!

This is an intermediate level, recreational ride. The route follows the Waterfront Trail, which is mostly on road with paved shoulders and some rolling hills. The return group ride will depart Gananoque at 3:30pm on Sunday, June 24 (or you can ride back on your own). Get your bike tuned up, have basic tools on hand, and bring a taxi/pick up number just in case. Advance registration and helmets are required – please send your contact information (name, phone, email) and any questions to justin@travelgaycanada.com. The departure location and updates will be sent to registered riders

Start Date: 2012-06-22
End Date: 2012-06-24