By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The colours of Pride shone brightly at the Royal Botanical Gardens’ Rock Garden as the second annual Summer Pride Party brought together community members for an evening filled with music, laughter, self-expression, and celebration.
Hosted by drag queen Karma Kameleon, the event transformed the gardens into a vibrant gathering place where guests arrived dressed in their Pride best, adorned in rainbow colours, glitter, and bold fashions that reflected the joy and freedom of the occasion. From the moment attendees entered the Rock Garden, there was an unmistakable sense of belonging, with affirming signage, welcoming smiles from RBG volunteers, and an atmosphere where everyone was encouraged to show up exactly as they are.
Surrounded by towering trees, blooming flowers, and the sounds of water flowing through the garden’s lower bowl, guests enjoyed a summer evening that felt both festive and intimate. The Rock Garden, designed by Janet Rosenberg and Studio Inc., provided a breathtaking backdrop for the celebration, its sweeping displays of grasses and perennials creating a landscape as colourful and diverse as the people gathered there.
Karma Kameleon kept the energy high throughout the evening with her signature mix of comedy, glamour, and playful humour. The Hamilton-based drag queen, comedian, and designer charmed the crowd with her quick wit and larger-than-life personality, setting the tone for an event centred on joy and authenticity. Audience members eagerly joined lip sync competitions and runway walk contests, with cheers erupting from the crowd as participants embraced the fun and left feeling like stars.
The celebration extended far beyond the stage. Throughout the gardens, guests explored interactive experiences and community activations hosted by local organizations, including Discover Burlington, Fruit Salad, and Pride Halton. Fruit Salad marked its second year participating in the event, continuing its mission of creating welcoming spaces for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Pride Halton was also on hand, sharing information about its upcoming Pride celebrations, including the return of its parade and Pride in the Park on July 19, 2026, in Milton.
There was no shortage of ways to join in the fun. Guests coloured a giant abstract mural, lined up for temporary tattoos, challenged friends to oversized Connect Four and bean bag toss games, relaxed in picnic areas and enjoyed treats from the ice cream truck. Many also captured keepsake memories through Alley Press, a vintage newspaper-style photo booth experience that transformed snapshots from the evening into timeless souvenirs.
One of the evening’s most thoughtful installations came from multidisciplinary artist Connor Andersen. Through a live interactive quilting project, attendees were invited to choose a fabric square reflecting their mood that day, with options ranging from Difficult Day and Not Great to Okay, Good, and Great Day. The resulting quilt became a visual representation of the many emotions people bring to community spaces, reminding everyone that all feelings are welcome and that connection can be found through shared experiences.
Andersen, whose work explores emotion and domesticity through sculpture and textiles, encouraged guests to participate freely, creating a piece of art that reflected the collective spirit of the evening and the beauty of showing up authentically.
As the sun began to set, the performances took centre stage. Drag entertainers and fashion designers Calypso Cosmic and Chimaera delivered energetic sets that had audience members swaying in their seats, singing along, and cheering enthusiastically.
Calypso Cosmic, star of OUTtv’s Call Me Mother season one and Sew Fierce season two, brought charisma, sparkle, and infectious energy to the stage. Hamilton’s own “crystallized carny” dazzled the audience with an unforgettable performance full of glamour and personality. Chimaera, a 24-year-old drag performer, designer, and academic from Hamilton, captivated the crowd with her commanding stage presence and creative flair. She has become a notable voice in the drag community, even delivering a TEDx talk that explored drag as a legitimate and meaningful profession.
Between performances, DJ Marr and DJ B. The City kept the celebration alive, filling the gardens with music that had guests dancing and soaking up every moment of the summer evening.
More than a party, Summer Pride at the Royal Botanical Gardens was a celebration of love, identity, and community. It was a reminder that Pride can be both joyful and peaceful, loud and reflective, all at once. In a setting known for cultivating beauty, the evening showcased another kind of growth, one rooted in acceptance and the freedom to be exactly who you are.
The Summer Pride Party is part of the Royal Botanical Gardens After Dark series, a collection of adults-only evening experiences that transform the gardens into unique social spaces where community, creativity, and celebration flourish long after the sun goes down. Four themed After Dark events are taking place this summer alongside the immersive art exhibition, ANCHORBALL: A Curious Art Journey. Guests can learn more about upcoming events at RBG.ca/afterdark.
