Volunteers paint the street crosswalks in rainbow colours for Pride. (Submitted photo/Kelly Waters)

By Angela Brown

Celebrating diversity

Battlefords Pride gears up for summer celebrations

Jun 6, 2023 | 6:42 PM

Battlefords Pride is starting to make plans for this year’s Pride Week activities.

The group currently has arranged to run an online auction fundraiser that will begin taking bids for items on June 10.

Pride members and community volunteers came together recently to paint a crosswalk in rainbow colours to get in the spirit. Two were completed in front of the North Battleford Library. Participants will also re-paint the rainbow crosswalk outside of Town Hall in Battleford this Thursday.

Battlefords Pride Week celebrations will run July 24th to 30th.

Committee member Kelly Waters is looking forward to the big event again.

FSIN

Chief Bobby Cameron re-elected for fourth term as FSIN Chief

Oct 31, 2024

Battleford Municipal Election

Laing seeks fourth term on Battleford Council

Oct 31, 2024

Softball Sask Hall of Fame

'I just wanted to give back': Local softball legend gets rewarded for her years of dedication

Oct 31, 2024

“Every year [various] organizations and people have offered us support financially, and otherwise have continued to do it. They sometimes made even larger [contributions],” she said. “The more sponsors and support we have, the more we can offer cool activities free to the public. So, it’s really nice to see that kind of [backing].”

Waters noted while most people are supportive of Pride activities, some people on social media continue to post negative comments about Pride events, such as the rainbow crosswalks.

“That’s why we do this,” she said. “There still needs to be awareness and education. There is still a lot of hate being expressed out there. And it’s just not ok.”

A flag-raising ceremony will be held outside City Hall at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 24. The event will include free cake from Discovery Co-op.

Then, in the evening people can join in for a free game of disc golf.

“As much as possible, we are offering events free to the public, and try to keep lots of family-friendly activities,” Waters said.

July 25 a night of karaoke is planned starting at 7 p.m., in the downstairs bar and grill at Porta Bella Restaurant.

July 26 will be a free swim in the evening at the Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre.

July 27 will be an ages 19-plus ticketed event – a drag show at Battlefords Community Players Playhouse.

July 28, a “drag royalty story-hour” event is planned at the North Battleford Library Lecture Theatre over the lunch hour.

July 29 all-day at Kinsmen Park in North Battleford starting at around 1 p.m. people can take in live music, see vendors displays and a variety of other activities.

Then on July 30, organizers hope to have a Pride Parade in North Battleford, if there is enough interest, with the location still to be determined.

—

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow