Thousands gathered in every colour of the rainbow to march in the annual Pride March as part of the Okanagan Pride Festival.
The march, which took place Saturday morning, had participants walking from Stuart to Waterfront Park where festivities were held in the park for the afternoon.
鈥淚t鈥檚 my third year out here and it鈥檚 a lot of fun. I鈥檝e actually never been to a pride parade,鈥� said march participant Mikayla Rothwell.
Rachel Neale visited the festival for the first time last year.
鈥淚 just wanted to be part of the community, it鈥檚 so fun,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 definitely more awareness, you slowly see people come out of their shells and people are more accepting.鈥�
Rothwell enjoyed seeing the different costumes.
鈥淚t makes you feel welcome and invited,鈥� she said.
Robert Verigin, also known as drag queen Sophonda Mann, was wearing a rainbow-coloured drag outfit and a glittery mask for the event.
鈥淭o me the turnout is really good, it鈥檚 nice to see people just be themselves,鈥� he said.
When commenting on his costume, he said 鈥淚鈥檝e had this costume for many years, I鈥檝e wore it in other prides and I want to take it apart. But I might as well wear it one more time.鈥�
March participant Ellen Churchill said she鈥檚 been marching in 91大黄鸭鈥檚 pride events since the 鈥�90s and is glad to see the community has become more accepting.
鈥淭here was no corporate sponsorship, there was no mayor,鈥� said Churchill.鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty moving now for us that have been involved for 20 years.鈥�
Last year鈥檚 march drew around 5,000 participants.
The Trans March held Thursday, Aug. 17 had crowds of around 250 people.
A mass pride wedding was also held Saturday afternoon at the Island Stage in Waterfront Park.
Check Wednesday鈥檚 edition of the Capital News for an updated version of the story.
