Fuchsia Dragon | [email protected]
Jasper’s festival of love, happiness and acceptance is just around the corner.
Next weekend is the 10th annual Jasper Pride weekend, and a whole host of activities have been planned to celebrate being proud and free.
There will be dance parties, live shows, food tours, family events and hang-outs for teenagers over the four-day lineup.
The peak of the festival will be the Pride Party, which takes place at the Activity Centre from 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 27.
Lynn Wannop, co-chairwoman of the festival, said: “The highlight will definitely be the Saturday night event. It’s going to be amazing.”
This year’s theme is Proud Peaks National Derby, and promises “timeless fashion along with the excitement of the races”.
Wannop said: “The decor, I’m so excited for it to roll out. We have been building it and rolling it out, it is going to be really cool.”
There will be prizes for the best and most creative costumes - and best hat.
Performing at this year’s party is illusionist Toni Lester Van Blam, male burlesque dancers Man Up!, Vancouver’s “hottest, queerest event band” Queer as Funk, and DJ Thomas Culture.
When Jasper’s Pride festival started ten years ago, it was just 40 people in Downstream celebrating the weekend.
But now the event draws in more than 1,000 people to the town.
“It’s amazing,” said Wannop.
“It’s grown naturally, getting bigger every year with more people wanting to get involved.
“It was just skiing and a party on the Saturday but now it’s Thursday through to Sunday. It’s crazy how many events we have.”
Marmot Basin is hosting a Pride party on the Saturday, too. The Pride on the Hill Ski Party and Fun Run starts at 11.30 a.m. and there will be a pride-coloured race, and a barbecue and DJ at the mid-chalet.
And if you would like a tour of Marmot’s hill, meet mountain hosts on Friday, April 26 at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. at Pride flags at the lower chalet to learn all about the mountain and its terrain.
All festival long will be a Fork and Spoon Mini Food festival. Restaurants and food sellers in town have made special pride-themed treats for you to buy, with donations contributed back to the Jasper Pride Festival Society.
And teenagers have their own special events this year, too. There is a kick-off party at the Legion on Thursday, April 25, from 6.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. with music, games and crafts, and complimentary snacks and refreshments will be served.
On the Saturday, the Jasper Teen Pride dinner and a movie is at the Legion from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event, for young adults supporting the Jasper Gay Straight Alliance, will have activities, crafts, a hot meal and movies.
Wannop said: “When we set out ten years ago we just wanted the party and now we have the family aspect of it.
“For families that come it’s nice to have things to offer for the whole family.
“Not everyone wants to party.”
Thursday, April 25
Pride kicks off on Thursday, April 25 with a flag raising at the Emergency Services Building from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. is The Dirrty Show at 4Peaks Nightclub with two women singing ‘Double R-rated’ topics to catchy melodies, then the Pride Dance Party kicks off at Downstream at 11 p.m.
And Jasper Brewing Co is launching its 5th annual beer for Pride on April 25 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Jasper's local Brewmaster Spike Baker has created a special 10th Anniversary Jasper Pride Beer, and for every pint sold $1 is donated to Jasper Pride Festival Society.
Friday, April 26
It is live entertainment galore on Friday night. From burlesque dancers to poetry and country music, there’s something for everyone.
At the Whistle Stop will be FABulous drag queens Toni Lester Van Blam and Ginger Schnapps for a night of Bingo, Bears, Beers and Burgers. It runs from 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., followed by live music from Alberta alt-country musician Jay Bowcott. He will be back on Saturday for happy hour with live music from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Legion is having a night of laughs as Canadian Comedy Award finalists The Amy and Ryan show returns. The event is from 8 p.m. and tickets cost $15 advance, $20 on the door.
Slam poetry meets folk music meets LGBTQ-themed tunes in Toronto-based singer-songwriter Kate Reid, who performs at Champs on Friday from 8.p.m.
And two big parties are on that night.
The Fruit Loop Mountain Party is at 4Peaks nightclub with resident Fruit Loop rockstar DJ Queerbait from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
And the Pride Burlesque and Dance Party is at Downstream from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Back by popular demand, this late show will have performances by The House of Hush Burlesque and DJ Thomas Culture.
Saturday, April 27
Huddle around the campfire on the shores of Lac Beauvert for Family Pride: Stories, Songs and S’mores on Saturday afternoon.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., there will be LGBT friendly stories and songs at Jasper Park Lodge with hot chocolates and other treats.
There is a free beginners line dancing workshop at the Legion from 11 a.m to 12.30 p.m. and
Proud and Free Yoga at Jasper Wellness from 11.15 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. for $20.
Jasper Rafting Adventures open for the last weekend in April to help celebrate Pride. Tours run from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, meeting at the parking lot on Hazel Avenue south of the railway tracks. It costs $62.10.
Sunday, April 28
On the last day of the festival there is a fundraising brunch at the Crimson Hotel from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All proceeds from the brunch buffet will be donated to the Gay-Straight Alliance and youth events and programming.
