6 Cool Facts About the Calgary Pride Festival

6 Cool and Interesting Facts about the Calgary Pride Festival

Calgary Pride Festival has been in full swing over the past week. On August 31st, the event ends with a bang at the Calgary Pride Parade. Don't miss it - see more details below!

Here are five cool and interesting facts you probably didn’t know about the week-long event:

Did You Know?

1 - The very first Calgary Pride Parade was held almost a decade and a half ago in 1990 during which many participants wore paper bags over their heads for a variety of reasons.

2 - Just a year later, in 1991, Calgary’s Mayor at the time Al Duerr officially recognized pride week for the first time ever. While Al had to rescind his recognition after much public outcry, more than 20 years later the acceptance of the pride community would change dramatically as shown by Mayor Nenshi and his lead role as the Calgary Pride Parade Grand Marshall in 2011.

3 - That same year would be the first time the Calgary Flames, the city’s National Hockey League (NHL) franchise, would sponsor a float in the Calgary Pride Parade.

4 - In 2012, Alison Redford became the very first Alberta Premier to attend festivities during the week-long event.

5 - The whole idea behind the Calgary Pride Festival is to celebrate all types of pride in our society – LGBTQQIA – an acronym that stands for: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, questioning, intersexed, allies. Or, most people may have seen the shortened version – LGBT – which stands for: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender.

6 - Pride Calgary’s board members consist of ten dedicated volunteers who spend much of their free time running the non-profit organization. They hope to have at least one paid, year-round position in Pride Calgary at some point in the near future.

Don’t Miss the Parade!

Have you been taking part in the fun festivities during the Calgary Pride Festival this week? If so, we would love to hear what your favourite experiences are below!

Climaxing the festival is the Pride Calgary Parade, a family-friendly event filled with cool floats, live music and much, much more. Don’t miss it!

Pride Calgary Parade

• When – August 31st, 2014 – 12:00pm to 1:00pm
• Where – Stephen Avenue – 8th Avenue and Centre Street S
• Cost – Free

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