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The Vancouver Pride Parade started as a little protest march through Davie Village, now the heart of the Vancouver gay community. Many years later, that little event has become a world-class Pride Parade that attracts both local and international supporters, spanning 20 blocks past nearly 500,000 attendees. This year’s parade starts right in downtown Vancouver, at 12:00 on Sunday, August 2. Winding around Pacific and Beach Avenue, it finishes at the Sunset Beach Festival Site. This year’s theme will be Educate! Liberate! Celebrate!

 

First is the official Pride Weekend Launch, presented by the Vancouver Pride Society. Kick off this year’s celebration with a Krispy-Kreme donut fundraiser at 7 am on Friday (you had me at donut), then onto the Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St.) to meet the parade Grand Marshals at noon.

 

Friday night starts the festivities off right with the Davie Street Pride Party, starting at 7 pm. Two words: beer garden. Actually, there’s a lot more to it than that: enjoy DJ’s spinning, hot models, tons of dancing, live music, a giant Twister game and much more! It’s sure to put you in the spirit of Pride Weekend. It goes on until midnight, and is hosted by Kim Kuzma. If you’ve got two X chromosomes there’s also a great Chicks Ahoy Women’s Boat Cruise from 7 till midnight if you’re interested (FlygirlProductions.com).

 

Up early? Check out Rise and Shine on Saturday morning (Aug. 2) at 9 am, when Vancouver Front Runners host a Pride Run and Walk in gorgeous Stanly Park. That afternoon, the Dyke March and Festival is at McSpadden Park (Victoria Dr. And 4th Ave.) from 12-4.

 

The main event: Sunday Aug. 3 is the 30th annual Vancouver Pride Parade, which starts at Denman St. Near Robson. From noon till 6 on Sunday, the VPF will bring together tons of community organizations, vendors, performers, and exhibits at Sunset Beach (West End, by Burrard St. Bridge). Just some of the performers: Simone Denny, Kim Kuzma, Splitting Adam, Armstrong Jr., Dance Arabia, Matthew Presidente, Barry Goold, Melissa Ferrick, and Ryan Mintz.

 

Worth checking out: Big Roger Events throws a number of circuit parties throughout the weekend, starting with Hard on Friday night, Power on Saturday, and the grand Global Pride Party on Sunday night. Don’t miss the Big Muscle World Tour after-hours party on Sunday night, the Sunday Sweat Pride Brunch in the am, three Pride boating excursions on August 3 and 4. Don’t forget to check out the local merchants, there are lots of gay-friendly and gay-popular restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels and shops that will be offering special deals and events throughout pride week.

 

Buy a pass: You can buy an event pass for $185 for all of the weekends events, or pay separately. Get more info here.

 

Keep checking back for info, as a lot of events haven’t been finalized yet. Check local gay papers like Xtra West, for details and the Tourism Vancouver site.

Tags: gay travel, lesbian travel, vancouver pride parade, vancouver pride weekend