This year's Pride parade and festival saw record attendances. Thousands of people marched along the waterfront in Kelowna, British Columbia, in a colorful celebration of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
“We say this is Kelowna Pride Festival; It just fills my heart,” said Candice Banks, Director of Volunteer Services for Kelowna Pride.
“It turned out to be amazing; the parade didn't end. You looked out and you saw a sea of rainbows and love, it was beautiful.”
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The festival kicks off with a Pride Yoga event at 8:30 a.m. in Stewart Park, and then at 10 a.m. the park becomes the starting point for the Pride Parade, which features speeches and performances.
The parade begins at Stewart Park at 11 a.m. It winds around Kelowna's waterfront and ends at the festival grounds in City Park, which features more than 100 vendors, live music, entertainment, a kids' zone and food trucks.
Kelowna drag queen performer Freida Whales was one of those chosen to help lead the parade.
“I remember my first Pride parade about 10 years ago, and there were only about 50 people, and now there are over 1,000, over 10,000, even close to 12,000 people, it’s just amazing.”
This wasn't the only record-breaking Pride event this week. Organizers said each of the Pride events over the past few days had more participants than ever before.
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