Another parade is about to take over the streets of Prince George on July 9, to celebrate the pride festival in Prince George.
The 2011 pride week, from July 6 to 10, marks the 15th anniversary of Pride Prince George.
Since the initial 1997 parade saw 140 people gather, the parade has blossomed into a day's worth of activities attracting more than 400.
The event starts at City Hall and continues through the downtown core, past the courthouse and back then back to City Hall where everyone is welcome to enjoy for food, entertainment and activities for the whole family.
The pride parade grand marshals for this year are Kevin Eastman and Travis Shaw, both past recipients of the Queer Citizen of the Year award for their long standing service and contribution to the community.
"The fact that [Eastman] has been an active volunteer since 1995 and still holds a variety of roles in the community speaks to his personal commitment," said Pride Prince George president, Valentine Crawford.
"[Shaw] continues to be a strong support for gay and lesbian youth in high school today as he works with many people to end homophobia and create understanding and awareness for all young people in our community," said Crawford.
The parade is apart of four days of events including the Prism North Film Festival. It's the only gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, two-spirited, queer film festival in Northern B.C.
The Prince George pride parade in 1997 was the first gay pride parade in Northern British Columbia.
On July 8, at the Ramada Hotel from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m, is How Rude Part Quatre, a drag show featuring Foxy Derossi and many other performers. After the pride parade, on Saturday, is the Pride 2011 celebration party at the Prince George Civic Centre from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Each year in June gays and lesbians prance and parade to celebrate gay pride month.
The history of gay pride celebrations began in 1969 in Greenwich Village, New York during the Stonewall Riots, considered to be the first gay rights movement in the United States.
For more information on where to buy tickets visit www.pgpride.com
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