The fourth Fraser Valley Pride Celebration will be held this weekend, and while the rainbow flag won’t return to city hall, organizers of the event say they still feel supported by Abbotsford and its residents and businesses.
Last year, the city raised the rainbow flag for the first time to mark Pride Week, but a new policy means that won’t be repeated this year.
City officials strongly defended flying the flag last summer, despite some objections, but the discussion illustrated the lack of clear rules regarding what flags could be flown at city hall.
The new policy limits flag displays to those of countries with visiting dignitaries, sister cities of Abbotsford, the United Nations, and those required through contractual obligations.
Organizers didn’t ask to fly the flag again in 2016, according to Cory Cassel of Fraser Valley Youth, which organizes the annual pride event.
“We feel that the support we have been receiving from the Fraser Valley as a whole is definitely positive,” Cassel said. Organizers remain grateful for being able to fly the flag in 2015.
Now in its fourth year, Cassel said the event has overcome some of the preconceived notions of what a pride event entails and has thrived. Organizers hope to see more than 2,000 people to visit Jublee Park on Saturday, and more will attend events later in the evening.
“I don’t think we’re hanging our hopes on a flag flying at city hall to get our message across,” he said. “This year in particular, we’re really feeling great support from all over the community.”
Cassel specifically cited politicians around the Fraser Valley, along with many local businesses displaying flags in windows.
The pride festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jubilee Park (2552 McCallum Rd.) and features entertainment, vendors, community booths, food and more.
A Pride Walk leaves the park at noon.
The celebration continues with a drag show, dinner and dance at Abbotsford Banquet Centre (33738 Laurel St.). While tickets to the dinner, which takes place at 6 p.m., are no longer on sale, people can purchase a ticket to the drag show and dance for $25 by emailing info.fvpride@gmail.com. Visit fraseryouth.com for more information.