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The Edmonton Pride Festival is returning to Churchill Square for the first time in eight years this June 24 and 25.
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“You know this is probably the most excited I think I’ve ever been in my life, the fact that we’re going to be able to put on an event that’s going to bring the community together after so many years of not having an event like this,” said Trevor Watson, executive producer of Edmonton PrideFest.
It’s also been four years since Edmontonians have had a pride festival event since it was canceled in 2019. The decision to cancel the festival was made after the Edmonton Pride Festival Society couldn’t meet the demands of LGBTQ2S+ groups within the community advocating for marginalized members and people of colour.
The festival’s return was hampered by COVID-19 but now it’s back.
“We want to be showcasing and spotlighting as many of the minorities within the queer community as we possibly can. We’re really hoping to get a group of a diverse lineup of performers,” said Watson.
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What started as a one-day event has now expanded to two, due to the number of people applying to be part of it.
The newly added Friday event Glitter & Grease party with headliner Luciana, Queen of Electro, as well as local bands Daniel Martin & The Infamous and Circle of Wolves runs from 7 pm to 10:30 pm
“It is the largest stage that we’re aware of that has ever been erected on Churchill Square, so that Friday night I’m guaranteeing that we’re going to rock the foundation of the downtown core. Friday night is going to be a party,” said Watson.
Following that is the main event on Saturday, running from 11 am to 10:30 pm with headliners including Virginia to Vegas, Bollywood sensation Neha Batra and dozens of local performers.
Watson knows that this will be some people’s first pride event.
“For us to be able to deliver that to them it literally brings tears to our eyes,” Watson said.
And this is just the beginning. “We are already in the planning stages of 2023… we’re already in talks of bringing the parade back to the downtown core,” said Watson.
Both events are free admission and Churchill Square will have a fully licensed beer garden. Find out more at edmontonpridefest.com
– with files from Postmedia