The Edmonton Pride Week Society proudly presents Pride Week 2008: Mardi Gras, Unmasked and Outrageous, running from June 13th to the 22nd. This event will keep Edmonton abuzz with awards galas, the parade, and a variety of interesting events and venues.
Kicking off Pride this year are the 2008 Pride Awards, which recognize the many contributions made by individuals and organizations to the gay community. Feel free to nominate an individual or organization of your choice by visiting www.prideedmonton.org. The awards will be held at City Hall on June 13th at 7:00pm, and will feature the raising of the Pride flag.
The highlight of Edmonton Pride 2008 is, of course, the Pride Parade, followed by the Celebration on the Square. Although the parade is always a fabulous event, this year there will be cash prizes awarded to the best entrants in three categories: best float, best vehicle, and best walking entry. Travelling down Jasper Avenue, the parade eventually ends at Sir Winston Churchill Square, where the Celebration begins. Attracting a diverse and ever-growing crowd, the Celebration on the Square offers food vendors, buskers, beer gardens, a community and business fair, and fantastic entertainment featuring Edmonton’s own Vanity Fair and Bianca on the main stage. This year, to widen the scope of entertainment, there will also be a family fun-zone for all ages to enjoy. The official start to Pride Week, the Celebration lasts from 3pm to 8pm on June 14th.
A highly publicized event at this year’s Pride is the Mayor’s Pride Brunch in support of Camp fYrefly. In its third year, the brunch is held at Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe on June 15th, and the $40 ticket includes an admission to the Art Gallery of Alberta. “Camp fYrefly is Canada’s largest leadership retreat for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, two-spirited, queer, and allied (LGBTTQ&A) youth.” Founded in 2004, the camp has helped over 100 youths aged 14 to 24 build leadership skills, self-esteem, and social understanding. Tickets for this event are available at the University of Alberta’s bookstore and online.
If you didn’t manage to catch this year’s Fairytales Film Festival in Calgary, you can still catch two nights of full-length documentaries and short films featured at this year’s screenings. The Queer Images GLB Film Festival runs June 18th and 19th at Edmonton’s Metro Cinema, beginning at 7:00pm both evenings.
Exact film information and timesn can be found at www.prideedmonton.org.
For youth under 25, Pride can sometimes feel like an “adults-only” kind of event. That changes with this year’s Pride Youth Animé Masquerade. This afternoon and evening event on June 20th is non-alcoholic, and features movies, video games, and ends with an Animé-themed Masquerade dance. Tickets are $5 in advance at the Pride Centre.
To end this spectacular week Pride Edmonton presents the Pride Week Mardi-Gras Gayla, a dance that mixes entertainment and fashion. Located at the University of Alberta’s Enterprise Square, this must-go extravaganza runs from 8pm to midnight. Encompassing a Louisiana/Creole Mardi Gras theme, party-goers will enjoy a Creole live band, so make sure you dress up!
There is nothing better the morning after a big event, than an even bigger breakfast. The Pride Centre of Edmonton is hosting a pancake, egg, sausage, and vegetarian family breakfast on June 22nd from 11am to 1pm.
If you are still up and running after this full week, why not check out the Team Edmonton: Come Out and Play Day, running from 2pm to 6pm at the Kinsmen Sports Centre. Take part in a preview of all the summer sport events including yoga, tennis, and volleyball, ending with a free barbeque at 5pm. At 3:30 make sure to check out the Third Annual Gay Cup at Field 2 of the Kinsmen Sports Centre, where the Rainbow Slo Pitch team attempts to take the Championship back from the Edmonton Police team. This is a free event, just show up to play or take a seat and cheer on your favourite team!
The time and effort that the Edmonton Pride Week Society has put into this week of festivities is obvious. The events appeal to all facets of the community, and they have taken the steps to ensure family-friendliness - something lacking in many past Pride Festivals. In order to continue making Pride Edmonton a success and to promote its growth, public support is necessary. The Edmonton Pride Week Society has made it fun to get out there and strengthen your community. Why not take some time to celebrate who you are?
Anyone can take part in this event by sponsoring, displaying an exhibit booth, or participating in the parade. There are a variety of options available on the Edmonton Pride Week Society website, just make sure you sign up by the deadline of June 8th. Catch up on Pride events, and stay involved!

Pride Week 2008
Mardi Gras, Unmasked and Outrageous
June 13th – 22nd, 2008
www.prideedmonton.org