The 6th annual Elk Valley Pride Festival is returning to Fernie from Sept. 21 to 25.
Courtney Baker, administrator of the Fernie Pride Society, said the festivities are meant to celebrate the queer community throughout the Elk Valley and South Country, to educate the wider community, and invite allies and people to get involved.
“Really to make it a family-friendly, accessible celebration that encompasses education, workshops, live music, arts events, and really to celebrate the contributions and the history of the 2SLGBTQ+ community,” she said in an interview with The Free Press.
The schedule for the festival was finalized on Thursday (Sept. 8), with 19 events spread throughout five days. Tickets for events will be available at Eventbrite.
Events will be kicking off on Wednesday (Sept. 21) at 4 p.m. with Bike Decorating at the Arts Station, followed by Rainbow Reels Queering the Interior at the Seniors Centre at 7 p.m.
Thursday (Sept. 22) will see the festival opening gathering at City Hall at 5 p.m., with remarks and a flag raising at 5:30 p.m., and the Ride with Pride Bike Parade at 5:45 p.m.
Speaking to new events this year, Baker pointed to Drag Paint and Sip at the Arts Station (Friday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m.) and the Wheelie Out Skate Jam at City Hall (Saturday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m.).
She said they’re really looking forward to an interview with Robert Verigin at the Seniors Centre (Friday, Sept. 23, 1:30 p.m.), who Baker called the ‘OG Drag Grandma’.
She pointed to live musical performances that will be taking place at City Hall (Saturday, 12:30 p.m.) with drag performances interspersed between the acts, and spoke about several other events taking place throughout the festival.
“I’m super stoked on seeing everybody,” she said.
She said visibility is something they are really focused on this year to bring light to the contributions of 2SLGBTQ people in the Elk Valley and South Country.
She said that everybody contributes in their own way, and are a part of the community.
“It’s a part that deserves to be celebrated, because for so many years, in the broader sense, you know, the queer community was marginalized and continues to be.
“So really it’s a part of claiming space, and working to really create an inclusive and equitable community for everybody who visits or who lives in them.”
Baker said they are very appreciative of community supporters in town, and the groups and businesses that she said really step up and value equity and inclusion and support the festival and Pride initiatives throughout the year.
“We’re super excited to welcome everybody again this year. We really are looking forward to it.
“It will be a great festival, and a really great chance to meet some new people and maybe learn some new things, and experience some really fantastic music and performances.”
For more information about the festival, visit ferniepride.ca.
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josh.fischlin@thefreepress.ca
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