Yarmouth's mayor plans to be "front and centre" in the Nova Scotia town's first Pride parade next month.

A decade ago, Yarmouth made international news when it hosted the first same-sex marriage between two male RCMP officers, but it's never celebrated Pride.

"With just about anything that happens in the town here, it's usually citizen-led," Mayor Pam Mood said Tuesday. "Folks got on board and they wanted to see this happen. When citizens pull together and they want something, then it happens."

Pam Mood plans to attend the Pride parade in her role as Yarmouth's mayor. (Peter Dawson/Radio-Canada)

Joey Benoit is part of the LGBTQ Alliance Group for Yarmouth, the volunteer team organizing the event for Saturday, Sept. 16. He said they plan to start at 2 p.m. on Argyle Street, proceed down Main Street, and end at Coronation Park.

"After the parade we're going to have a celebration with live entertainment, food vendors — it's going to be fun for the whole family," he told CBC Radio's Mainstreet on Monday.

He said the town's citizens have eagerly offered to help. "It's been so heart-warming to hear [support from] all of the businesses. Everyone's been reaching out to us," he said.

The group's Facebook page is filled with people offering to crochet Pride hats, cross-stitch Pride flags and craft Pride magnets.

They're still looking for about 50 volunteers to help on the day of the event. Benoit said they haven't had time to seek official funding, so they're working with donations and volunteers.

They've got a dozen floats confirmed and hope to draw 700 or 800 spectators.

Still hears anti-gay slurs

Benoit, 26, grew up in Stewiacke and faced anti-gay discrimination. He said coming out can be hard in those circumstances and organizers hope the Pride parade encourages those thinking of coming out.

Benoit said he still hears anti-gay slurs, showing the need for a display of solidarity.

"We really want to raise awareness about discrimination and equal rights. People that feel like they're alone — they're not. We will stand together no matter what."

Yarmouth's mayor echoed that thought. "It's people coming together to celebrate who they are," Mood said.

She said having the mayor take part will send that message of unity. "I'm sure they're going to find a place for me to be front and centre, marching with everybody as a representative of the town."