By Jillian Clark
Dig out your rainbows and get ready to party – it's time to celebrate the 2017 iteration of the Calgary Pride Festival. The 27th annual Calgary Pride promises a theme of “All Together Now” and will feature more than a week of inclusivity, community spirit and rainbow-coloured everything from August 25 to Sept. 4. Here’s how to get the most from your Pride experience. [Photo credit: iStock]
Not all of us have rainbow-coloured clothing and accessories hanging in our closets – but if you want to stock up, a perfect place to start is The Flag Shop, where you can pick up your very own rainbow flag. For risky costumes, funky wigs and rainbow accessories, try DevaDave Boutique. To play it safe, celebrate in retro rainbow and shop vintage.
Now that you have your outfit ready, what's your must-do at the festival? Pride boasts no shortage of events including late-night dancing, music, live performances and family fun in the sun. There is so much going on throughout Pride that your best bet is to draft a plan before the fun begins.
Not sure where to begin? Download the official mobile Pride Guide for Android or iPhone before kicking off the festival with the feminist ukulele and comedy band Wrong Kind of Girls, who will return for their third Calgary Pride appearance August 25.
If you choose one night to celebrate, pick Sept. 2 as plenty of late-night options are packed into the eve of the Pride Parade. Head to Dickens Pub to watch the Calgary International Burlesque Festival dancers, followed by Fake Mustache Drag King Troupe at the Glitter Gods and Kings party. Or, find the Official Pride Party at The Palace Theatre with Sasha Velour, winner of the TV show RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9. Other shows at The Twisted Element and Nite Owl guarantee you'll be dancing all night long.
There’s more to pride week than parades and parties. Are you interested in the history of Calgary’s LGBTQ community? On August 31, the Calgary Gay History Project will host a Calgary Gay History Walk. Learn about political and social events, where they occurred downtown and where the LGBTQ community gathered in the past.
Sneak in one more summer paddle on the Bow River for the Paddle Station’s Pride Raft on August 25 and 27. Don’t forget to wear your rainbow colours and wave your rainbow flags while you float in the name of charity, as a portion of the tickets will be donated to the Calgary Chinook Fund to support the LGBTQ community.
Are you a sports fan? Cheer on the Calgary Stampeders August 26 at McMahon Stadium. The event is new this year and includes a VIP pre-game tailgate party. A portion of the tickets will be donated to Calgary Pride and the You Can Play Project. If you like to take it easy, eat and play outside at the Bridgeland Riverside Community Association for their Family Pride BBQ August 27.
That’s just a fraction of the planned Pride events – refer to the official events calendar for a full rundown of all of the festivities.
The event you’ve been waiting for: The Pride Parade! The Calgary Pride Festival parade route has changed a little bit this year and begins Sept. 3 at noon. Floats will travel through downtown on 6th Avenue and 6th Street before ending in Prince’s Island Park. Calgary Pride received more than 150 parade entries and expects more than 60,000 attendees, so arrive early to secure a street-side spot.
Follow the parade into Prince’s Island Park to find Village Brewery beer gardens, a family zone with crafts and games, street performers from across the country and a vendors' market selling Pride-themed swag.
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The best of Calgary neighbourhoods:
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The festival runs on volunteer power. As usual, there are plenty of ways to get involved – serve in the beer gardens, join Pride in the Park, organize the parade or help set up and tear down. Some positions allow you to take a low-profile role while others, like the Rainbow Crew, require an outgoing personality and a love for social engagement. All volunteers receive a free Pride Festival tee.
Party with your old favourites at this year’s Pride Festival, or check out the new additions to the docket. No matter what Pride parties you attend, make sure you pack your self-love.
