Truro’s first ever Pride parade to become annual event

For the first time in the town’s history, Truro, Nova Scotia, held a Pride parade.

“I’m thrilled. I’m excited,” said Albert McNutt, organizer of the parade and director of Northern Healthy Connections Society.

“I am 66 now and I have lived in Truro all my life and this organization that’s hosting the parade is an organization that I founded back in 1996.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I am 66 now and I have lived in Truro all my life and this organization that's hosting the parade is an organization that I founded back in 1996."

Officials only had three weeks to organize the parade. Despite the short time frame, they say they’re overwhelmed by the support they’ve received.

“I’ve been in Pride parades in Halifax and Montreal and Ottawa and Toronto and Vancouver. This one is very unique to me because the business community for instance has been so supportive,” said McNutt.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I've been in Pride parades in Halifax and Montreal and Ottawa and Toronto and Vancouver. This one is very unique to me because the business community for instance has been so supportive," said McNutt.

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“There so many local businesses in town that have their windows decorated and have flags flying. It’s just absolutely breathtaking when you go and see them all and they’re not even on the parade route, they’re just decorating like crazy.”

Hundreds of people of all ages lined the streets to take in the parade. Parents say the event is a good opportunity to teach young people about respecting one another.

“Given everything that’s going on in the world today, I think we need to teach them that everybody is worthwhile, everybody is important and to not teach hate,” said Penny Gill, who was attending the parade with her son.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Given everything that's going on in the world today, I think we need to teach them that everybody is worthwhile, everybody is important and to not teach hate," said Penny Gill, who was attending the parade with her son.

“It’s about human rights for my children, for my grandchildren and for my great grandchildren,” added Michele Rigby.

The Truro Pride parade is significant in a number of ways. In 2007, the Town of Truro made national headlines after council voted against displaying the LGBTQ symbol.

Following the Orlando Shootings in June, a decision to raise the flag was made. It continues to fly high in front of city hall, a simple gesture that means a lot to many in the community.

READ MORE: Orlando shooting: LGBT community reacts after victims ‘had their futures stolen’

“I’m absolutely thrilled that Truro is embracing it and supporting it in this way,” said Michele Vissers, one of 700 participants in the parade.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I'm absolutely thrilled that Truro is embracing it and supporting it in this way," said Michele Vissers, one of 700 participants in the parade.

Despite the previous attention Truro received in relation to gay rights, organizers hope people take one clear message from the parade: that Truro isn’t a bad place to live.

“I know that before people really thought it was homophobic and I really don’t believe that,” said McNutt.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I know that before people really thought it was homophobic and I really don't believe that," said McNutt.

“There were a few people that might have been homophobic but that doesn’t speak for the whole town and I really that people have to know that we are a welcoming community”

The event was so successful that organizers are planning to make it an annual event.