The family-friendly Victoria Pride Festival is aiming to be bigger and better than ever, with a new parade route and changes to make the event more engaging.
The festival starts today with a 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Pride Kick-Off and runs until July 9, with a parade and the Victoria Pride Festival in the Park (at MacDonald Park) to cap off the event.
Organized by the Victoria Pride Society, the 11-day festival includes a Memorial Drag ball game on July 1, Big Gay Dog Walk on July 6 and Pride in the Word and a Pride literary event on July 8. Youth events include the Youth Pride Kick-Off today and a Queer Activism Night on July 5.
“The festival is bigger and better, with a new parade route, improved accessibility along the route and at the park, with a climbing wall and a larger secure bike valet compound,” said Ace Mann, vice-president of the society.
The parade will go along Douglas Street for part of its 1.3-kilometre route. It will feature about 100 entries and thousands of marchers. Organizers expect almost 40,000 spectators.
The parade starts at 11 a.m., Sunday, July 9 from the corner of Douglas Street and Pandora Avenue and is expected to last just over an hour. An accessibility viewing area (under cover) will be set up along the parade route at the corner of Government and Belleville streets. The parade ends at the corner of Menzies and Kingston streets.
The festival offers local 2SLGBTQ+ talent giving family-friendly performances on the main stage until 5. p.m.
After that, the entertainment will take on a more risque theme.
The children’s stage, which runs all afternoon, will feature age-appropriate entertainment and activities.
Organizers expect to see between 120 and 140 vendors, as well as about 20 food trucks, including three ice-cream vendors. Along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic offerings, people can refill their bottles at water refill stations.
There will be two entrances — one at Oswego and another at Simcoe Street — for foot traffic. Cyclists can enter at the corner of Niagara and Oswego streets, where they will find the bike parking compound.
“The festival is important to the community as a whole because it is not just an event for families to come and visit, but represents an opportunity to meaningfully engage with the local queer community,” said Mann.
The 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Pride Kick-Off runs 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Odd Fellows Hall, 1315 Douglas St.
The Queer Activism Night runs 6 to 9 p.m., July 5, at the Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas St.
The Memorial Drag ball game runs noon to 3 p.m., July 1, at Vic West Park (off Wilson Street)
The Big Gay Dog Walk runs 4:30 to 8 p.m., July 6, at Clover Point
Pride in the Word runs 8 to 11 p.m., July 8, at the Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas St.
The Victoria Pride Parade starts at 11 a.m., July 9, from Douglas Street and Pandora Avenue.
The Festival in the Park runs noon to 8 p.m., July 9, at MacDonald Park in James Bay.
Free admission to all the events, except the Pride in the Word. The admission to Pride in the Word is $25.
Admission to the Festival in the Park is by donation.
• Go to victoriapridesociety.org for more information.
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