Pride is a chance for the LGTBQ2+ community and the larger community around them to come together in an event that promotes inclusion, acceptance, diversity and love.听 This year鈥檚 Yorkton Pride Week runs from Aug. 23-30.
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Margo Allaire with Yorkton Pride said that it is more important than ever to have a Pride event, because it鈥檚 a way to keep the community together when people are more isolated than normal.
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鈥淭he people who are most at risk in the community, they are the ones who tend to get forgotten. They are feeling more isolated than others, so it鈥檚 probably even more important this year to find ways to engage our community and focus on inclusivity when we are all apart.鈥�
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While Pride Week was originally scheduled for May, Allaire said that COVID-19 forced them to get creative and try some new things. The events are a combination of online and in-person events, and she said they took cues from Pride events elsewhere, as well as talking to community members in the city.
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鈥淲e had to go back to the drawing board for this鈥� Try to come up with some events that would still be interactive and appealing to get people to take part in them, but keeping safety top of mind.鈥�
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Allaire emphasizes that the events are about bringing everyone in Yorkton together.
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鈥淲e are open to everybody, you don鈥檛 have to be part of the queer community to take part.鈥�
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Events kick off on Sunday, Aug. 23 with Zen with Jenn yoga in Shaw Park and an online faith service. On Monday, Aug. 24 there will be an online escape room, which is being operated by a group out of Regina, Mystery Mansion, featuring Flo Mingo, a Regina-based drag queen. There will be a paint night on Aug. 25, tye dye in the park on Aug. 26.
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Friday, Aug. 28 will feature an outdoor movie double feature.
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Aug. 29 will be a big one for the week, with sidewalk mini-concerts and a car parade. Allaire said that doing a parade, even with just cars, is vital just to have the same visibility.
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鈥淲e are encouraging people to bring their vehicle, maybe decorate it a little bit. It鈥檚 just about showing support and being out there in the community to help us all feel like we belong here.鈥�
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The week ends Aug. 30 with Flo Spills the Tea, a drag queen performance.
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Beyond the events themselves, Allaire said it鈥檚 a great time for people to show their support, including decorating their homes and businesses with rainbow flags.
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More information on these events or how to sign up can be found on the Yorkton Pride Facebook page.
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Organizers are also still looking for volunteers to help out. Volunteers are needed for different events from August 25 to 30. To help, reach out to Yorkton Pride on Facebook or email [email protected].
