Shelburne celebrates Pride Month with community flag raising

June 18, 2026 · 0 Comments

Written By JOSHUA DRAKES

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

The Town of Shelburne marked Pride Month with a Pride flag-raising ceremony at Jack Downing Park on June 15, bringing together community members and municipal representatives in a public show of support for diversity, inclusion and equality.

Mayor Wade Mills, who attended the flag raising, said it was an important reminder of the values of inclusion and support that define Shelburne.

“The Pride flag serves as a visible reminder that Shelburne is a community that values dignity, respect, and belonging,” he said. “We want everyone who lives here, works here, or visits here to know that they are welcome and that they have a place in our community.”

The ceremony followed a proclamation issued by Mills on behalf of council declaring June 2026 as Pride Month in the Town of Shelburne.

It highlighted Pride as a positive stance against discrimination and violence directed toward members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community and an opportunity to promote dignity, equality, visibility and acceptance.

The proclamation noted that Pride Month helps to prevent discrimination, promote awareness and acceptance of every person, and encourage harmonious relationships among all members of the community.

The rainbow flag, first designed in 1978, is now recognized worldwide as a symbol of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

While the flag raising served as the town’s official Pride Month observance, residents can also find Pride-related activities and celebrations throughout the region in June.

Celebrate Your Awesome, a Pride-themed festival, is set to celebrate Pride Month in Dufferin County on June 20, at Alexandra Park in Orangeville.

Schools across the Upper Grand District School Board have also been recognizing Pride Month through educational initiatives and Pride flag raisings, while communities across Ontario continue to host events focused on inclusion, visibility and support for 2SLGBTQI+ residents.

Through the proclamation and the flag-raising ceremony, Shelburne officially recognized June as Pride Month and joined municipalities across Ontario in celebrating diversity and belonging.