By Chad Ingram

The organizers of Minden Pride are turning an eye to what this summer’s festival might look like amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, but also looking at ways to keep community members digitally connected during the ongoing crisis.

New Minden Pride chairperson Allan Guinan hosted a Zoom-based town hall meeting on Jan. 21, with about 40 people taking part. Guinan, who recently took over from past chair David Rankin, was pleased with the turnout.

“I think we’re really very cognizant of health and safety issues,” Guinan told the Times regarding what Minden Pride 2021 might look like. The week-long festival takes place each August, and while it’s possible a number of Ontarians will have received a COVID-19 vaccination by that time, “The assumption would be we’d still probably have a number of events be virtual this year.”

Last summer’s festival featured a number of online events including a virtual dance party and trivia night, while drive-in movie nights at Abbey Gardens offered socially distant in-person gatherings.
In the meantime, Minden Pride is planning what organizers hope will be at least monthly digital get-togethers to maintain community connection amid the ongoing health crisis.

“There’s a lot of people who are very isolated,” Guinan said. One such idea is a digital book club meeting, scheduled to take place Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.
Minden Pride is also donating a rainbow bench in memory of founder Sinclair Russell to the Township of Minden Hills, and it’s hoped that bench installation will take place in the spring.

For more information about Minden Pride and its activities, contact info@mindenpride.ca