Airdrie's Pride Festival to take over Nose Creek Park June 22

Airdrie Pride Society's Solidarity Walk and Pride Festival are back on June 22.

The Solidarity walk will kick off the day with everybody wanting to participate can gather at city hall at 10:30 a.m. After a short speech, everybody participating will make their way to Nose Creek Park.

Landon MacKenzie, the community engagement director for the Airdrie Pride Society explained the reason for the walk instead of a parade is so everybody can feel included. According to the Airdrie Pride Society website, they also do the walk to resist those who are trying to silence, diminish, and divide those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

"We all recognize each other with this walk. Once we get to Nose Creek Park, we will have a pride flag-raising ceremony with a few speakers before the festival kicks off."

The Festival will include performances, vendors and food trucks. The festival will last until 4:00 pm.

"The festival is one of my favourite things to happen in a year. You see so many people and you get to meet so many new people."

MacKenzie got to give a speech last year at the event and remembers getting emotional just because of how much it meant to them.

"I hope the person who does a speech this year feels like I did last year."

MacKenzie finished off by saying one of the main goals of these events is to make sure everybody feels like they are included, and MacKenzie believes they do just that.

On Saturday was the 3rd annual Queer Prom. The sold-out event at BGC Airdrie was for youth in Airdrie to have a safe space to go to a dance with other community members, where they can feel comfortable wearing and expressing whatever they want. 

Earlier this month the society joined other Pride organizations across Alberta to not allow the participation of the United Conservative Party (UCP) in its 2024 Pride activities.

Also earlier this month, the society announced they will be installing a permanent pride pathway in Nose Creek Park with the hope it will mean fewer repairs and more durability.

To learn more about the Airdrie Pride Society or contact them, click HERE.

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