Calgary Pride returns this weekend

Lots of Pride festivities are set to get underway in Calgary this weekend, but there is a chance the festival will look different than in years past.

The two-day event will take over Prince’s Island Park on Saturday and Sunday, showcasing the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

Thousands are expected to participate in the celebration, including the parade, which has seen exceptional growth every year since it’s inception in 1991.

Calgary’s rendition has become one of the fastest growing pride festivities in all of Canada

Watch: Calgary Pride Parade this Sunday 

Despite the excitement, there is some added stress this year, according to Anna Kinderwater, one of the organizer’s of this year’s events.

“There is that heightened level of anxiety and people are frightened, we do recognize that,” she said. “We’re doing what we can with the city and independent security contractors, anything to bolster up the protection we have around our event and just making sure that people can come and enjoy themselves and celebrate, because at the end of the day that’s what we want this to be, is a celebration.”

She added that while it is important to keep everyone safe, there’s also a need to respect the historical relationship between the 2SLGBTQ+ community and police.

There has been an increase in anti LGBTQ+ protests and other hate-filled incidents over the last year, not only in Calgary, but around the country.

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• Fort Macleod theatre vandalized during Pride event 

However, the hateful rhetoric targeting the community, has only made ally ship stronger, according to Kinderwater.

“Pride for me is community and so when we say ‘Pride’ and we’re encourage people to show up we really are saying, ‘When you’re showing up, you’re showing up for your community,'” she said. “This is a huge community interaction and we wouldn’t be who we are without each other.”

Saturday’s festivities are for people 18+, while Sunday’s are open to all ages — kicking off with the Pride parade marching along 9 Avenue toward Fort Calgary starting at 11 a.m.

“If you’re queer and are nervous about coming out, try to be proud and celebrate in whatever ways are comfortable for you, but we hope regardless of what happens, ally ship queer, whatever else celebrate this — we deserve this — it’s worth celebrating, we’re worth celebrating and taking up space,” Kinderwater said.