The fifth annual Fraser Valley Pride event takes place Saturday, July 15 at Jubilee Park.
The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. and is hosted by the Fraser Valley Youth Society (FVYS), the longest running LGBTQ2S+ and allied youth drop-in in B.C.
Celebrations include music, entertainment, food, vendors and other activities.
A Pride Walk leaves Jubilee Park at 1 p.m. and makes its way through the streets of Historic Downtown Abbotsford.
The evening features a dinner, drag show and dance at 5:30 p.m. at the Legacy Sports Centre in Exhibition Park. The event raises funds for FVYS.
Local artist Shannon Thiesen will be on hand to create a special piece of art, live at the event, that will double as a silent auction item.
Thiesen recently won the B.C. Provincial Art Battle and advances to the national competition on July 27 in Toronto.
This year’s Fraser Valley Pride includes a collaboration with local craft brewery Ravens Brewing, which has produced a “beer made queer” with sale proceeds benefiting the Pride organization.
The beer is called Hibiscus Wit and will be made available at Ravens, at The Stage in Mission and at the Pride’s evening fundraiser.
“It’s an exciting year for the LGBTQ community in the Fraser Valley, and we hope our Pride celebration helps create an even more inclusive and welcoming region for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities,” said Patrick Oystryk, a member of the Fraser Valley Pride organizing community.
To get involved or buy tickets for the evening fundraiser, visit facebook.com/FraserValleyPride or email info.fvpride@gmail.com.
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