March and festival among events for Kelowna Pride Week

The Kelowna Pride Society is starting to paint the town rainbow in celebration of Pride Week 2024.

The event is a chance to recognize, celebrate, and show support for the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities to be themselves and lead safe and dignified lives – free from violence and discrimination.

Kelowna’s first Pride March took place in 1996.

Over 30 events are scheduled until June 9, with one of the highlights being the annual Kelowna Pride March and Festival, on Saturday, June 8, in downtown Kelowna.

Long-serving member of the Kelowna Pride volunteer board of directors, Davina Kula, is looking forward to the festivities:

“We can’t wait! Every year, it’s great to see the community come together in overwhelming support for love, diversity, and equality. We don’t take it for granted and know it was a long road to get to where we are today. We’re hoping Kelowna and friends from around the Okanagan will join us to stand together and paint the town rainbow this June,” Kula exclaimed.

Kelowna Pride Week officially kicked off at BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery Monday night. To celebrate Pride, BNA has a special ‘True Colours’ beer on the menu where a portion from every one sold will be donated to the Kelowna Pride Society.

Other events on the calendar for Pride Week include:

• June 4, 7 p.m. — Big Gay Dog Walk. This is the first annual Big Gay Dog Walk: Kelowna Edition! This popular event originated in Victoria, BC, and is being brought to the Okanagan. Starting at the Sails, attendees and their pups will walk or roll along the boardwalk to the dog beach at the end of Lake Ave. via the tunnel under Hwy. 97. There will be prizes, and attendees (both humans and pups) are invited to dress up.
• June 5, 4:30 p.m. — Trans March & Celebration. The march gathering begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Bear in Stuart Park, followed by the celebration of the vibrant trans community at 5:30 p.m. in the immersive space at Revelry Food+Music Hub (1383 Ellis St.) — the venue is accessible for mobility devices, and ASL will be provided. There will be vendors, all-ages-appropriate performances by local Drag artists, musical acts, speeches and more.
• June 6, 5:30 p.m. — Two-Spirit Powwow. Another new event for 2024, the 2S powwow, is a collaboration by the Kelowna Pride Society and Aaron Mitchell (syilx) of Four Feathers 2 Spirit Society. The 2S Powwow will feature All gender specials and 2 Spirit specials, with prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category and gift cards for all participants. There will be vendors and information tables; attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. Regalia is not required for participation. This event will be accessible for mobility devices and ASL will be provided.
• June 8, 10 a.m. — Kelowna Pride March and Festival. This is typically the highlight of Kelowna Pride Week, with thousands coming together to march in downtown Kelowna. Attendees will gather in Stuart Park at 10 a.m. to enjoy entertainment by Freida Whales and speeches before marching to City Park (the space is accessible for mobility devices, and ASL will be provided). This will be followed by the biggest Pride Festival in the BC Interior. There will be live music, vendors, entertainment, food and drink and more.

Organizers are encouraging people to visit the Kelowna Pride website for a full list of Pride Week 2024 events.

Kelowna Pride Week coincides with global Pride commemorations during June, which have been held in many cities and countries since the Stonewall riots in New York City in 1969.

Kelowna Pride 2024 is proudly presented by TD. TD has been supporting pride festivities in Kelowna for 15 years.

Learn more about the Kelowna Pride Society and Pride Week 2024 here.