August 28th 2023, Moh’kinsstis (Calgary) – Calgary Pride Introduces sober “Queer Garden” for this year’s Inclusive and Vibrant Festival Weekend
Join us for our annual celebration of our local 2SLGBTQIA+ community with the Calgary Pride Parade & Festival, proudly presented by TD Canada Trust. Come out, come out, whoever you are, September 2nd and 3rd, and join Calgary Pride as we transform Prince’s Island Park into a bustling celebration of joy and inclusivity, we also introduce our new sober space, “The Queer Gardens”.
This year, we’re adding even more excitement by splitting our festival between 2 days, led by our incredible headliners Synthia Kiss, Kendall Gender, Bratpack, and local headliner Sinzere. We have a schedule packed with locally loved queer talent, DJs, and performers. Saturday, September 2nd will be an exclusive 18+ day filled with risqué entertainment for our loud-and-proud crowds, taking place 2 PM – 6 PM. On Sunday, September 3rd, the Pride Parade will begin to march at 11 AM, starting at 9 Ave and 4th Street and flowing to the SE, ending at Fort Calgary. Head back to Prince’s Island Park for our All-Ages Festival Day, starting at 12PM for a day packed full of family-friendly performances, a kids zone, a cashless beer garden, a marketplace, and our unique selection of food trucks available on both festival days. To end the festival, we’ll be screening “Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar”, starting at 10 PM on Sunday evening, drag is encouraged!
This year, Calgary Pride’s newest addition, “the Queer Gardens” aims to create a sober space where festival-goers 16+ can fully immerse themselves in the Pride festivities while prioritizing their well-being and comfort. This initiative reflects our dedication to catering to the diverse needs of our community, including those who prefer an environment free from alcohol-related activities or are working to maintain sobriety, embracing the diversity of our community, and promoting an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding. This innovative space underscores Calgary Pride’s belief in creating an environment where everyone can celebrate authentically and inclusively.
Join us at this year’s Calgary Pride Festival and experience the vibrant celebration of love, diversity, and acceptance. For more info, please visit calgarypride.ca or follow us at @calgarypride.
Key Features of the 2023 Calgary Pride Parade & Festival:
September 2nd: Exclusive 18+ Day
- Location: Prince’s Island Park
- Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Headliners: Kendall Gender, Synthia Kiss.
- Dedicated sober space “The Queer Gardens”
- Beer Gardens – Cashless
- Marketplace vendors with 18+ goods
- Performances by exceptional local queer talent and DJs
- Content and performances catered to 18+ crowds
September 3rd: Pride Parade & All-Ages Festival Day
Parade
- The Pride Parade starts at 11:00 AM
- Parade route: 9 Ave and 4th Street marching SE to Fort Calgary
- Marshals: Suzette Mayr, Shane Onyou, Aalayna, Adora Nwofor, and Cece Chow representing Trans Voices
Festival Highlights
- Location: Prince’s Island Park
- Time: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Family-friendly performances and Kid’s Zone
- Headliners: Bratpack, Sinzere.
- Performances and sets by local queer DJs and artists
- Diverse marketplace offerings
- Delicious treats from food vendors
- Beer Gardens – Cashless
- Dedicated sober space “The Queer Garden”
- Evening movie screening of “Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” at 10:00 PM (Drag encouraged!)
Media Contact:
Name: Anna Kinderwater (she/her/they)
Title: Manager of Communications
Organization: Calgary Pride
Email: anna@calgarypride.ca
Socials:
@calgarypride
#CalgaryPride #WeAreCalgaryPride #ComeOutWhoeverYouAre
About Calgary Pride
Calgary Pride is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization. Our mandate is to advance visibility and inclusion for Calgary’s gender and sexually-diverse communities; to do this, we endeavor to build strong community partnerships, implement ongoing programs like Reading with Royalty, Queerly Festive, Evolve: Pride Amplified, and Calgary’s premier celebration of diversity, Calgary Pride Week, Parade & Festival.
We thank the Indigenous communities of Turtle Island for both the historic and ongoing stewardship and protection of the land we collectively inhabit today. Many nations and people, Indigenous and non, are fortunate to call Moh’kinsstis and Treaty 7 territory our home. Acknowledging the land is Indigenous protocol, which we honor as a step towards reconciliation and fulfilling our responsibilities as Treaty people. Working alongside all Nations, Indigenous and non, we strive to create safe spaces where everyone can live openly and authentically.
