The Battlefords are set to celebrate their very own pride festival this summer. The third annual Battlefords Pride Week begins August 19 for locals to celebrate gender and sexual diversity.
The week kicks off with a flag-raising event on Monday, August 19. A barbecue and family-friendly drag show will be featured around the park on Wednesday, August 20. The Friday will see a free midnight screening of the film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! at the Capital Theatre, with the chance to donate to Battlefords Pride. A pride march is on Saturday, August 24, falling on the same date as a street festival in North Battleford.
Entering its third edition, Battlefords Pride seems to be well received by the public. Battlefords Pride painted rainbow crosswalks in both Battleford and North Battleford for the first time last year. While it was ultimately vandalized, that hasn’t left anyone discouraged. Bobbysue Thompson, president of Battlefords Pride, says the crosswalk has returned in the face of vandalism.
“That’s not going to stop us,” says Thompson. “We’re here and we’re queer, and we’re gonna stay!”
Thompson affirms there are many reasons why the Battlefords could use a celebration of LGBTQ2S+ pride. Growing up, Thompson didn’t feel as though there were others like herself, a feeling she says is common for gender and sexual minorities.
“At one point, I thought I was the only one like me. There wasn’t anybody else. But now, of course, I’m finding as I’ve come out to get involved in the community, we’re all over.”
Thompson says that all are welcome to come and celebrate Battlefords Pride, whether you’re part of the pride community or an ally. Anyone looking for more information or interested in volunteering can contact the Battlefords Pride Facebook page.