Published Jun 11, 2025 • 1 minute readPunk rocker Bif Naked headlined the inaugural INGObeach Pride festival at Ingonish Beach in 2023. The festival is being paused for 2025. Photo by CAPE BRETON POST FILEA northern Cape Breton festival which celebrated Pride over the final weekend in June is being paused for 2025.The INGObeach Pride festival launched in 2023 and featured three days of music, drag shows and more, attracting hundreds from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies to the Ingonish Beach event.Read More IN PHOTOS: INGOBeach Pride festival wraps for fun-filled second season of concerts, events, more IN PHOTOS: Cape Breton’s INGObeach Pride festival a crowd pleaser Among the notable music performances during the 2023 and 2024 festivals included Bif Naked, Reve, Ashley MacIsaac, Ria Mae, Breagh Isabel, Mo Kenney and Tracy and Martina.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content Singer Ria Mae, centre, performs during the 2024 INGOBeach Pride festival in Ingonish Beach, as Cape Breton comedians Tracy, right, and Martina watch from the front of the stage. A 2025 INGObeach Pride weekend, however, won’t be taking place, according to the festival’s director. Photo by CAPE BRETON POST FILEBut Sara Bryden, the festival director and artistic director, said the festival will be put on hold for 2025.“We took a significant (financial) loss last year,” Bryden said. “So we are taking the year to recover and hopefully come back next year with more support to make it happen.”Instead, Bryden said, focus for this year is being directed toward fundraising with “the first pop-up happening at Breton Brewing for this Saturday, 7-9 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.) for Ingo Pride Music Bingo for a fundraiser for the Ingonish Pride Society.” INGObeach Pride festival organizer Sara Bryden: “We took a significant (financial) loss last year. So we are taking the year to recover.” Photo by CAPE BRETON POST FILEBryden is also director of the inaugural Red Farm Field Trip — which has been set for Aug. 3 at the Red Farm in Howie Centre and slated to include performances from Sloan, Bahamas, Gordie Sampson, Gordie’s daughter Amelie Sampson, Morgan Toney, and Dylan and Jodi Guthro.Article content
Cape Breton’s INGObeach Pride festival on hold for 2025
