June 2018 Issue #18 June 2018 PRIDE issue #18 4GUYS | Page 89

Community Celebrations
Naturally, the enthusiasm of Pride runs rampant throughout the city as unofficial celebrations
take place in and around Vancouver. Visit the official Pride Society website to learn more
about events such as evening cruises, cabaret shows, parties, BBQs, sober events, youth
dances, and much more.
The Main Events: The Parade & Festival (Sunday, August
5th, 2018)
Vancouver Pride events exude a sense of excitement and expectation leading up to the main
event, the Pride Parade. The parade route marches right through central downtown, beginning
on Robson Street at Thurlow Street, continuing through the West End (on Denman Street) to
finish at the Sunset Beach Festival site.
There are approximately 150 parade entries that are all kinds of floats, dancers, marching
groups, performances, and more that make for a constant stream of entertainment along the
three-hour route. Prepare to be wowed, amazed and inspired with sights such as four-foot-
high headdresses, pink fire engines, more rainbow flags than you can count and signs con-
veying messages of hope and change. One of the most memorable parts of the parade are
the costumes, which range from show-stoppingly outrageous to personal expressions of pride,
to just people being their own fabulous selves and loving it.
At 1:00 p.m. the levity is temporarily quieted for a traditional moment of silence as tribute to
predecessors who fought for LGBTQ2+ equal rights, those who are no longer able to cele-
brate Pride, and LGBTQ2+ people around the world who remain in various states of oppres-
sion.
Just when you think that the celebration couldn’t get any more jubilant, the parade is immedi-
ately followed by a giant waterfront bash - the Sunset Beach Festival. About 125,000 people
gather on Sunset Beach to listen to live music, browse vendor booths, kick back in the beer
garden, take in sparkling views of English Bay, swim in the ocean, and frolic in the festive at-
mosphere.
Where to Find Out More
Learn more about the Vancouver Pride Society
Follow the fabulousness on Twitter - @vancouverpride
Where to get tickets
Many Pride events are free (including the parade and Sunset Beach Festival). Little Sister’s
Book & Art Emporium, a famous bookseller in Davie Village specializing in LGBTQ2+ litera-
ture, provides sales for ticketed Pride events.
89