Vancouver Pride parade and festival to return with a new look

Vancouver’s annual Pride parade will look different this year, as the festival updated its route and location.

Starting this year, the Pride parade will begin at Davie and Denman streets and will proceed down Beach Avenue and Pacific Boulevard before arriving at the new festival site at Concord Community Park. Creekside Park and a nearby parking lot will help house the festivities as well.

Organizers say the changes and upgrades will create a more inclusive and accessible event.

“[The] new route addresses challenges regarding accessibility and space. The wider sidewalks, proximity to the SkyTrain station, and flat terrain will provide a more inclusive experience for both parade entries and spectators,” explained Madison Holding, a co-executive director with the Vancouver Pride Society,

Councillor Rebecca Bligh attended the announcement to show the city’s support and to explain exactly what that support entails.

“The city is pleased to support free large-scale public events such as pride that take place on city grounds and via our special event policy covers up to 75 per cent of all operational costs,” said Bligh.

“We’re also happy to support any of the safety costs and imagine that the event hosts incur for certain special events. So basically, it’s a partnership to make sure that these events can be affordable, and they can be managed within the community and supported by the City of Vancouver,” she added.

Pride will now function as a two-day event starting Aug. 5. The event is set to include over 100 local community groups, non-profit organizations, and businesses that will showcase their support for the 2SLGBTQAI+ communities.