The best ways to support and celebrate Pride in Vancouver
This article was written for Dished Kevin Mazzone, co-founder of Pride Cocktail Kickoff and general manager of The Lazy Gourmet.
It’s time once again to show your Pride, as Pride Weekend takes over Vancouver during the August Long Weekend.
As one of the co-founders of the annual Pride Cocktail Kickoff fundraiser, which happened just this last Friday, I’m always excited to kick off Pride celebrations with a bang by supporting the Dr. Peter Centre.
This fun rooftop event raises funds for and awareness of the essential services provided by the Dr. Peter Centre and its Day Health programs — a 24-hour licensed care residence with specialized nursing care and an enhanced supportive housing program. For nearly three decades, the centre has worked at the intersection of science and compassion, and healthcare and heart, and proudly serves those living with complex medical needs, mental health challenges, homelessness, substance use, and the entrenched stigma of HIV/AIDS.
In the spirit of this, here are some great ways to show your support for the community at large, celebrate diversity and inclusivity in all its forms, and bask in the atmosphere of one of the best weekends in Vancouver.
Everybody loves a parade
One of the highlights of every Pride Weekend is the can’t-miss Pride Parade. This year’s event begins at Concord Pacific Place in Northeast False Creek and travels west along Pacific Boulevard and ends at the junction of Pacific and Burrard Streets. Dress your best (but also for the heat!), stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and cheer on the participants as they make their way along the route and show their pride.
Soak up the West End vibes
There’s no place quite like Davie Village. It’s a vibrant, eclectic community that always is one of the best spots to see and be seen and eat, drink and be merry, but it truly comes alive during Pride Weekend. Stroll the streets, stop in a bar or restaurant for some cocktails and camaraderie, support local merchants, and stay out late and soak up the electric atmosphere of one of Vancouver’s beloved neighbourhoods during one of the best times to experience its magic.
Pre-game at home with friends
Whether the crowd’s small or it’s a host-them-ALL type of situation, get into the spirit and gear up for a weekend full of festivities by putting on a gathering at your place. Let fun and frivolity be your guide when it comes to decor, food and drink and music and take a moment to gather your friends and family around and celebrate together before exploring the city. Need some inspo? Think rainbow-themed items like cupcakes, cookies, fruit skewers, and let folks graze with cheese and charcuterie platters, and make sure to have some zero-proof beverages on hand to make everyone feel included.
Fly your flag at the Davie Village Pride Festival
This year, the Davie Village Pride Festival returns to its loud and proud form after a six-year hiatus, and will mark the grand finale of the Pride Weekend festivities on Sunday, Aug. 3 from 2 to 10 p.m. Located in the heart of Vancouver’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community, the festival will transform Davie Street (Burrard to Jervis) and Nelson Park into a vibrant, all-ages celebration of queer life, culture, and connection. Presented in partnership with the West End BIA, Vancouver Pride Society and QMUNITY, this event showcases live music, drag performances, DJs and roaming entertainers with licensed lounges and extended patios along Davie Street as well as plenty of local vendors, community pop-ups and interactive experiences.
Celebrate and Support Local Businesses
One of my favourite spots to celebrate Pride Week is at 1181 Dance and Night Club — which, like us at The Lazy Gourmet, also proudly supports the Dr. Peter Centre. They’ve got a full lineup of entertainment in the days leading up to the Long Weekend including a Spotlight Drag Show hosted by Alma Be on Monday, July 28 and a weekend jam packed with events like Pop Fridays Pride showcasing pride anthem all night long on Aug. 1, a Saturday Soundroom Pride show with resident DJs on Aug. 2, and an epic all-day Pride finale marathon party on Aug. 3 that starts at 2 p.m. and goes until 4 a.m.
Give Back to Community Charities
Show your love and support for local charities like The Dr. Peter Centre and QMUNITY. The latter is a non-profit organization that provides a safer space for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and their allies to fully self-express while feeling welcome and included, and is in the process of constructing a new building to serve as a catalyst for community initiatives and collective strength. The former serves more than 500 people annually and provides over 88,000 meals, counselling, art and music therapy, nursing support, and harm reduction services.
Over the last 14 years, this community has raised more than $700,000 for the Dr. Peter Centre, supporting the dignity of those sidelined from society, and that’s the essence of what Pride is all about — moving marginalized people and groups into the spotlight, and proudly championing their humanity and fundamental right to a better life.
And, for more than 45 years, The Lazy Gourmet has supported the local LGBTQA+ community through organizations such as Qmnunity, the Dr Peter Center and Friends for Life, along with countless events produced for our clients who are celebrating Pride season.
There are so many ways to support and celebrate Pride around Metro Vancouver this year, be sure to make some plans before it all kicks off!