BURSTPride events return this weekend to Smithers.
This year, Smithers Pride Society sets to host their ninth annual celebration.
“The theme is Show Your True Colours to allow people to be authentically themselves,” according to a poster for the event.
“It’s important to protect and fight for spaces where people can be themselves, feel they are welcome and cultivate community.”
Richan Greenlees of the Pride Society said pride is a celebration of existing, of persisting, and of queer community.
“It’s a time when we gather to remind ourselves that we exist and that is beautiful. That we are many and our allies support and stand with us. Together we are stronger than the hate that gets wrongfully placed at our feet,” they said.
“I would love to say that Pride is just a fun day for everyone, but unfortunately the reality is much more complex than that. Politicians and people in positions of power have weaponized identity and created fear, anger, and unwarranted blame towards transgender people. We see it in the United States, in Alberta, and here at home. The increasing hostility towards queer people in general has shifted the social landscape for us. And it’s unsteady ground.”
Events kick off on Friday night (June 5) at 7 p.m. at the Driftwood School house for a performance by Rae Spoon with Aurora Lavender, a local artist, joining the evening to open.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and all tickets can be purchased on smitherspride.ca.
The main event takes place on Sat. June 6. Starting at 11 a.m., the public library will be hosting again their annual Pride Family storytime, this year at Bovill square.
Following that, numerous booths of community partners will be set up with activities, crafts, food and information at the square.
A stage show begins with opening ceremonies, and emceed by a visiting queen Alma B.
Then there will be performances by local artists and visiting performers. They’ll also have a trio of visiting drag queens from Vancouver, Alma B, Batty Banks and Bibi SouPhresh each doing a number to entertain the crowd. There will be a rainbow cake cutting sponsored by Positive Living North, and there will be a bike valet again.
Later in the evening, the Drag Show/DJ Dance Afterparty begins at 8 p.m., at Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre Hall.
They will have three of their own local queens on stage, Miss Riley Mac, Iris and Amiah Vahjine, along with special imports from Vancouver, Alma B (who will also the emcee), Batty Banks and Bibi SouPhresh, and new this year from PG, Mantis.
It will all held together with the musical contributions of DJ Don’t Panic to play sets to dance throughout the night. This is a liquor-licensed 19+ event, and tickets are $45 available to order on the website.
On Sunday, June 8, The Roadhouse Restaurant will be hosting Drag Brunch again this year.
Tables can be booked by calling the Roadhouse at 250-847-2101