Victoria celebrates more than 26 years of Pride

CHEK
WatchIt's pride week in Victoria and it's bigger and better than ever

Victoria Pride Week kicked off on Monday and the week has been filled with different events put on by the Victoria Pride Society.

Pride was first hosted in Victoria back in 1993 and since has grown into a week that more and more people are embracing.

Some of the most popular events include the annual Drag Ball Game that brought out a crowd of around 1,500 people and on Friday, there is the Big Gay Dog Walk.

All these activities work to recognize and celebrate the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

The Victoria Pride Society says every year they see more and more people coming out to show their support.

“Victoria Pride is great in a lot of ways, compare to other Prides I’ve been to because it’s really community-based,” Scott Daily, Victoria Pride Society community co-ordinator, said.

And the City of Victoria has made sure they show their full support. Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps is happy so to see how far the community has grown to become more accepting.

“The festival itself is accepted and expected and wonderful community event, its no longer just for people who are queer that have the courage to walk down the street and hold hands,” Helps said.

Victoria’s 26th annual Pride Parade kicks off this Sunday on Government Street at 11 a.m.

If you are unable to attend the event in person CHEK News will be live streaming the event from our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cheknews/.

There will be no parking from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (or 2 p.m. if the parade runs later then planned) from Oswego Street from Belleville Street to Simcoe Street. There is also no parking from Simcoe Street from Oswego Street to Montreal Street. All cars will be ticketed or towed if they are left on the route.

And this year, motorcycle riders can ride for free in the parade. All riders must arrive by 10:15 a.m. to Pandora Avenue and Government Street or Yates Street and Government Street. There will be a mandatory safety briefing at 10:30 am from the road captain Leilani Jonas of Salish Sea Motorcycle Company. If you do not attend the safety meeting, you do not ride. Riders get free VIP parking at the festival at MacDonald Park.

Andrea FerrariAndrea Ferrari

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