Western Canada's largest city and a longtime center of gay activism, Vancouver hosts a terrific Gay Pride Parade and Festival in late July and early August, although it comprises a series of events held over the six weeks leading up to the final weekend. In 2009, the official festivities take place July 31 through August 3, 2009, with Sunday, August 2, 2009, the day of the Annual Pride Parade and Festival. A vast array of concerts, parties, lectures, boat cruises, art exhibitions, and similarly enticing events take place during the days leading up to the parade and festival, so check the Vancouver Pride Website for details. In 2008, Vancouver Gay Pride drew more than 520,000 participants.
Compare rates and shop for rooms in Vancouver during Gay PrideThe main thrust of Gay Pride Vancouver takes place in the first weekend in August (although during the preceding week in late July, there are several additional events, from art shows to a Picnic in the Park at Brockton Oval in Stanley Park - check here for an extensive list of events. Here's a look at some of the events that make up Vancouver Gay Pride in 2009:
The morning of Friday, July 1, the Vancouver Pride Society starts things off with the official Pride Weekend Launch, first with a Krispy-Kreme doughnut fundraiser at 7 am, and then with Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan declaring "Pride in the City" at downtown's Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St.).
On Friday evening, gather along Davie Street between Burrard and Bute streets for the Davie Street Pride Party, a fun-filled block party-beer garden featuring a slew of musicians, artisans, dance areas, and more. It begins at 7 pm and lasts until midnight. Jeffrey Straker and Kim Kuzma headlines the event, and Rob Trinh and Symone host it.
Also on Friday night, Flygirl Productions is sponsoring the Chicks Ahoy Women's Boat Cruise from 7 pm until midnight. Flygirl is also producing Chicas "Premiere Lesbian Afternoon Party" party on Sunday after at Sheraton Wall Centre and Hershe Bar "This Is" at Red Room later the same evening.
On Saturday afternoon, August 2, McSpadden Park (Victoria Dr. and 4th Ave.) is the starting point of the Dyke March and Festival, which lasts from 11:30 am until 4 pm and features live entertainment. The march proceeds from the McSpadden Park along East 5th Avenue, and then up Commercial Drive to Grandview Park (at Commercial Dr. and Charles St.), where the festival takes place.
On Sunday, August 2, the 31st Annual Vancouver Pride Parade takes place from noon until 2 pm, commencing at Denman Street near Robson, just a couple of blocks south of Stanley Park, running west on Denman, and then winding beside the beach and heading south down Pacific Street to the corner of Thurlow. From noon until 6 pm on Sunday, the Vancouver Sunset Pride Festival brings together countless vendors, community organizations, performers (DJ DeLux, DJ SHE, and many more) to the city's largest Pride Event, held at Sunset Beach (in the West End, by Burrard Street Bridge).
In addition to official Vancouver Pride Society events, the popular party producer Big Roger Events throws a series of circuit-party-style festivities throughout the weekend, starting with Cities on Friday night, moving on to Nations on Saturday, and culminating with the massive Global Pride Party on Sunday night. You can buy tickets online for individual events or obtain a pass for the entire weekend.
More fun is had on the three Pride boating excursions offered on August 3 and 4 by CruisyT Pride Cruises. These include a Pride Go Go Cruise cruise and Pride Uniform Cruise on Sunday early evening, and a Pride Party Cruise on Monday afternoon.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check local gay papers, such as Xtra West, for details. And also check out Tourism Vancouver outstanding site welcoming gay and lesbian visitors.
