Longtime gay rights activist Ted Northe will lead the way Saturday morning as the Prince George Pride Society's annual festival and parade begins at city hall.
Northe, who was born in Alberta but raised in the Fraser Valley, wanted to participate in this year's festival and Pride Prince George president Valentine Crawford said it was natural to ask him to be the grand marshall of the parade.
"We were chatting and we were talking about what we've been doing over the few years and he mentioned, 'I would really love to come up for your pride parade,' " Crawford said. "I'm like 'OK, how about our grand marshall' and he was like 'Damn, yeah.' "
The theme this year is phoenix, which represents the four pillars of the society -- rebirth, vision, inspiration and beauty -- and Crawford said Northe embodies all of those characteristics. Northe has been recognized by groups like the Red Cross and and the BC Cancer Society over the years and is a member of the Queer Hall of Fame.
This is the 16th year of Pride events in Prince George and Crawford said the celebration has grown from a two-day event in the beginning to its current five-day schedule. The event draws people from across the region and from Alberta. Crawford expects about 500 people to attend the various celebrations.
Crawford said the annual event is important because it raises the profile of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and two-spirited community in Prince George.
"It shouldn't matter what your sexuality is to participate in society," he said, "We all live here together, we all work here together, we all play here together. We all contribute, we're all citizens and we are one big family whether we like it or not."
The festivities kicked off on Wednesday with a flag raising and continue through Sunday. Saturday is the big day with the festival beginning at 10 a.m. at city hall and Northe leading the parade starting from that location at 11:30 a.m.
