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Star of Wellington Paranormal Karen O’Leary will be in Northland on April 1, bringing a bit of celebrity stardust to the second Paparoa Pride parade.
The actress, comedian and teacher, who has also starred in What We See in the Shadows and Celebrity Treasure Island, will be MC at the rainbow celebration and picnic, which takes place at the Paparoa Showgrounds at 2062 Paparoa Valley Road from 3pm to 7.30pm.
Parade organiser Jay Clothier-Simmonds said local connections had led to getting ‘Officer O’Leary’ to lead the pride event, and she added that she may not be coming alone.
“It was through a few contacts in the neighbourhood,” Clothier-Simmonds said. “Some of her whanau live in the community. She’ll be coming along and possibly bringing along other famous friends.”
This will be the second Paparoa Pride event – it started successfully in 2021, though covid put paid to a repeat performance last year. This year, there will be a parade around the showgrounds, food stalls, children’s entertainment and live performances from local musicians, Dargaville’s Circus Kuramani and other artists.
Paparoa Primary School will have a stall and high school teacher Clothier-Simmonds said she would love to see other schools at this and future pride events.
“We were the first in Northland region to do something like this because there are quite a few people in the Paparoa community who are LGBTQ+ or allies,” she said. “It’s really important for affirming diversity, not just in Northland, but wherever you go, and creating a safe environment for our young people coming through, and what it looks like in our community and local schools.
“Paparoa Pride is for everyone across the Kaipara and beyond.”
All welcome, free entry, koha welcome. If the weather is bad, the event will be held in the Paparoa Hall.
Info: Email paparoapride@gmail.com or see Paparoa Pride on Facebook
