The annual Pride Week festivities will be starting Sunday June 11 and run until June 18 in Lloydminster, beginning with the walk from Cenovus Energy to Synergy car park and then back to the Cenovus parking lot for Pride in the Park.
This year the week includes the bright lights and stage at the Vic Juba Community Theatre for the Lloyd Pride Drag Showcase presented by Slay the Night YLL. The adult show begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday June 17.
Chris Wyse, co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Society of Lloydminster says the folks at the Vic Juba have been very supportive as they get ready to host Drag Showcase.
“Definitely leave the kids at home. Come out and enjoy a Saturday evening filled with lots of drag performances – good laughs. If you ever want to see Slay the Night in a grandiose, on-stage spectacular – definitely check us out.”
On Sunday the walk begins at 11 a.m. from Cenovus to Synergy where there will be refreshments with community support also from the Lloydminster Co-op., and then back to the Cenovus Energy car park where the festivities will continue until about 3 p.m.
On Monday June 12, the family friendly Lloyd Bike-A-Thon takes place at Jaycee Park from 5 p.m. The event will feature a Toddler Tricycle Rodeo and participants are all invited to decorate their bikes. The Lloydminster-Vermilion for Equity group will host a barbecue from 6 p.m. and then at 7 p.m., the adult bike ride will take the spotlight with community support from Grindin’ Bikes and Gears.
On Tuesday June 13, the group will host the Lloyd Pride Sober Social Evening at Grace United from 7 p.m. Wyse says the evening social will include music, dancing, networking and simply getting to know community members.
On Wednesday June 14, the Family Movie Night will feature the movie Luca at Grace United from 7 p.m.
Then Thursday June 15 is the ever-popular Drag Bingo at the Sticks from 7 p.m. Wyse says the twist on the Bingo game theme is a good teaser in preparation for Saturday’s stellar night at the Vic Juba.
Friday June 16 is the Kids Play Time & Crafts at Bud Miller Park from 5 p.m. Wyse says they will be set in the campfire area – just follow the signs.
Then after Saturday night at Vic Juba, Pride Week has an extra day on Sunday June 18 with the Lloyd Pride Youth Performing Arts Showcase by Slay the Day Youth Program. This takes place at the Black Box Theatre at Lakeland College from 5:30 p.m. and is open to all ages.
In reflecting on how far they have come, Wyse says it’s surreal that since 2017, they have been celebrating Pride Week in Lloydminster.
“Each year, we have gotten bigger and bigger, and it’s crazy to think that, for example our Drag Show that we did in 2019 – we were at the then Days Hotel and Suites and to be able to graduate that to the full Vic Juba stage – it’s surreal.”
More information may be found on the LGBTQ+ Society of Lloydminster Facebook page.