With the heat of the summer comes one of the biggest, most well-known and most community-inclusive celebrations Vancouver has to offer.
- SEE ALSO: Vancouver Gay Pride 2014 Events Guide
The Gay Pride Parade Vancouver 2014 kicks off with all the rainbows, glitter, bubbles and flamboyant party atmosphere that you can expect from this massive celebration. Embrace community diversity, creativity and unity once again as the Pride Parade celebrates its existence of 36 years.
Last year, the parade was officially granted civic status and represented a major turning point for the community.
Considered the crown jewel of Pride Week and one of the biggest, most renowned pride events on the international stage. Over 650,000 spectators are expected to attend this year’s event.
Vancouver Pride Parade 2014
Date: Sunday, August 3
When: Parade begins at noon at the intersection of Robson and Thurlow
Where: Robson Street to Denman Street
Cost: FREE!
Parade Route
The parade begins at Robson Street and Thurlow Street, heads west to Denman Street, follows Denman to Pacific Street and Beach Avenue and finishes at the Sunset Beach Festival site. Altogether, the parade route runs along 20 blocks of Downtown Vancouver’s streets. Check out a map of the route here.
Make sure to bring a towel if you take in the parade from the Splash Zone on Comox and Denman. Meanwhile the Safeway on Robson, Denman Place Mall and the Boathouse prove to be excellent spots for taking in all that the Pride Parade has to offer.
Before, during and following the parade you can stroll along Sunset Beach for the Vancouver Pride Festival to enjoy food carts, giveaways, live entertainment, a beer garden and a beautiful waterfront view amongst yourself, friends and the over 150,000 who take in the festival.
Image: Vancouver Pride
Grand Marshals
The Vancouver Pride Society always selects important individuals who have helped raise awareness of LGBTQ issues and who truly represent the perseverance and spirit of Pride.
- Gwen Haworth is a trans filmmaker most famous for her award-winning 2007 documentary She’s A Boy I Knew that chronicled her transition from biological male to female and highlights the changing relationship she experienced with family and friends. She recently released the short a woman with a past.
- Dean Nelson is a gay rights pioneer who produces the annual WhistlerPRIDE Gay and Lesbian Ski Week and is co-founder of the Mr Gay World mentorship program.
Featured Image: Hugh via Flickr
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