- by Hub staff

Owen Sound's first-ever Pride parade began with the sound of one of two firetrucks' horns and an Owen Sound Police vehicle led the way along 2nd Avenue. Officers stopped along the route to jump out and give free hugs and temporary tattoos to anyone who wanted them.
Rainbow flags, painted faces and an eight-foot tall pink-wigged fairy on stilts were right behind. The Grey Bruce Roller Derby women rolled along in their rainbow tutus, but most paraders were on foot – some walking behind banners representing local schools, churches and community groups. From babies in strollers to the new Youth Elevating Youth group to Chapman House Hospice -  hundreds and hundreds of local folks of all ages and stages were out in support.
There was an after-party in the parking lot of Bruce Grey Child and Family Services (the former Family Y) where two hundred hot dogs were probably not going to meet the demand. Bouncy castles and live music suited the buoyant mood. Organizer Ryan Brown, a student trustee at Owen Sound District Secondary (OSDSS), thanked his committee, local businesses and organizations and the community for making the event such an obvious success.