Get ready to show your pride, Victoria!
One of the capital region’s most exuberant events is set to return in person this summer, following two years of virtual celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Victoria Pride Festival is scheduled to take place from June 23rd to July 2nd, as the Victoria Pride Parade cruises through town on Sunday, June 26th.
“The colourful march will envelop the downtown Inner Harbour in the most vibrant display of pride on Vancouver Island,” Victoria Pride Society (VPS) told Victoria Buzz.
According to organizers, the parade will see a new route this year, taking marchers east over the Johnson Street Bridge and then south onto Wharf Street before turning onto Government, Belleville and Menzies streets.
Throughout the week, other signature festival events making a comeback include Pride Festival in the Park, the Big Gay Dog Walk, and the Memorial Drag Ball Game.
Since the last live event in 2019, VPS says it’s undergone quite a few changes, including electing nine new board members, naming a new president, and hiring its first executive director.
“I’m excited to collaborate with both an invigorated board of directors and our first-ever executive director to ensure 2SLGBTQIA+ communities are the focus of our parade and festival, especially after two years of living in isolation,” said VPS president Britton Kohn.
“Together, we will continue to do the work to produce Pride so that all folks feel included; we are already looking forward to more volunteers getting involved.”
Parade and festival vendor applications are now available online, but VPS notes applicants will undergo a new vetting process focused on diversity and inclusion “to ensure that members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities are the focus of pride.”
Victoria Pride Parade
- When: Sunday, June 26th at 11 a.m.
- Where: Starts at the Johnson Street Bridge
Pride Festival in the Park
- When: Sunday, June 26th – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Where: MacDonald Park
On March 24th, the City of Victoria announced it’s supporting 41 festivals this year with $321,200 in grant funding, plus up to $129,500 of in-kind contributions to usher in the return of festival season locally.
Victoria Pride Society received $13,000 in funding that will go towards the Victoria Pride Festival and Parade.
“Grab your sun hat and festival chair, after the long pandemic hiatus it’s going to be a great summer for arts and culture events in Victoria,” added Mayor Lisa Helps.
“I am thrilled to see the exciting lineup of culturally diverse, family-friendly events, from dance and theatre to music and community performances. There is something new to attend every week.”
A full list of events returning to Victoria this year can be found here.
