[2023-06-04] Perth pride and positive people
As I mentioned in last night's post, Mel and I spent yesterday in Perth. Our primary reason for visiting the town was to watch the Perth Pride Parade, but we went early so that we could make a day of it.
We parked at the municipal parking lot beside the Perth Library, which is free on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays. Our first stop was the Perth Farmers Market, located in the Crystal Palace at 28 Drummond Street East. It is a picturesque location, bordering the Tay Canal that winds through town. The vendors offer a mix of food, fashions and crafts. Mel and I chatted at length with Nicola from Blue Moon Fashions, not—as you might expect—about her lovely clothes but rather about music. She and Mel had a lively discussion about 1980s synth pop. We listened to Dana Lawless, whose sweet voice carried through the market. We stopped by various stalls and displays, including one pertaining to Active Perth, which we had heard about on the Lake 88.1 radio station on our drive out from the city. There we met Kevin and Carol and learned that Active Perth is a community-based group that advocates for active transportation, which is simply movement powered by people (such as biking, skateboarding, skating, walking and using a wheelchair). The group's goal is to encourage the Town of Perth to adopt policies and solutions that support active transportation and accessibility.
Next, we moved on to the Fieldhouse, a bakery and restaurant that we had tried a few years back. Our return visit did not disappoint. We were met by Alli's warm smile and Madison's impeccable preparation of our veggie sandwich (roasted squash, pickled onions, goat cheese, walnut pesto and greens) and house salad (tender lettuce, crisp cabbage and bright radish, with a delicately applied green goddess dressing). Alli brought the sandwich and salad to our table, conveniently split between two plates. Later, she returned with two lattes and a lemon-raspberry cruffin (a cross between a croissant and muffin). Everything was memorably delicious. The cafe lived up to its "good vibes" marketing (even its washroom was adorable). We would drive to Perth again, just to go to the Fieldhouse. We love when a place offers excellent food, a welcoming atmosphere, and friendly staff.
After walking about the town, meeting puppies and their cheerful owners along the way, we popped into the Perth Chocolate Works, a gorgeous shop located inside the historic Code's Mill, at 17 Wilson Street East, across from peaceful Stewart Park. We were impressed by the variety of chocolates. With the help of a patient employee, we chose three individual chocolates (cappuccino, coconut and praline) and enjoyed them in the Mill's atrium. We saved a fourth confection—a wrapped peanut smoothie bar—for an after-dinner treat at home. Our chocolate haul cost a mere $8, incredibly reasonable.
We made our way back to Gore Street, hoping to find a bench from which we could watch the Pride Parade. The first one we happened upon was occupied by an older gentleman, with whom we struck up a conversation. He told us that his daughter lived in the apartment building nearby. Clearly, the bench offered the man more than a place to grab a quick cigarette. The man cheerfully chatted with us, telling us about his daughter, his granddaughter, his home community, and his trips to Perth and Ottawa. He appreciated the conversation as much as we did, thanking us for stopping to talk to him. It reminded me of the UK's "chat benches," which carry the sign "Sit here if you don't mind someone stopping to say hello!" We moved on, but would later encounter the same man, sitting in the same spot. I exclaimed: "You're still here!" He smiled, conversed with us some more, and once again expressed gratitude for making an old man's day.
With a little time to kill before the start of the Pride Parade, we decided to check out the Perth and District Union Public Library, located at 30 Herriott Street. What a charming library! It is wonderfully organized with large, legible signage identifying the various parts of the collection. I stopped at a puzzle table, where visitors can help to put together a communal jigsaw puzzle. As we found wherever we went in Perth, the people we met in the library were pleasant and hospitable, agreeing with me that their library was truly special. I appreciated the comfortable seating, both inside and out. Yes, you can sit in the garden beside the library, overlooking the Tay Canal. I would like to go back to do just that. I loved the library's flying of Pride flags, its display of books for Pride Month, and a poster we found on the second floor, an inviting space for children and youth. The poster read: "Tomorrow may bring changes that are scary, strange or new. Tomorrow may bring chances to embrace your truest you."
We returned to Gore Street in time to see the arrival of the Pride Parade. One of the first things I noticed was the rainbow colouring in the word POLICE on the uniforms of all the officers who were engaged in managing the traffic. We watched and cheered and returned the greetings of "Happy Pride!" When the final walkers passed us, we turned and followed the procession. Carol, of Active Perth, saw us and called out, "Hey, there are my friends." Mel looked at me and said, "Why don't we ask them if we can join their group?" With Carol and Kevin's enthusiastic response, we graduated from spectators to participants. Mel found it very meaningful to be able to wish "Happy Pride" to onlookers, especially those watching alone, as we walked to Last Duel Park, where the paraders congregated. There, I took the opportunity to talk to staff of Lanark County Mental Health, which had participated in the Pride Parade. This community-based mental health service provides services to Lanark County adults and young adults (17 years and over) who experience mental health concerns (such as suicidal thoughts, trauma, anxiety, depression, symptoms of psychosis) as well as domestic violence and sexual assault. The staff told me that they recognize the unique challenges that many LGBTQ+ individuals face. Participating in the Pride Parade was an opportunity to increase awareness generally about their services but also specifically within the LGBTQ+ community.
As we drove home, Mel and I talked about our day. The weather was ideal—clear, sunny and not too hot. The setting was captivating, as usual. The food was delightful. But what stood out for us the most was the people. To a person, they were friendly, warm, welcoming, accepting, diverse, generous and helpful. It's the interaction with positive people that makes a visit special and one that we want to repeat.
