Darrell Dexter will join the Halifax Pride Parade this year, the first time a Nova Scotia premier has taken part in the always colourful event, organizers said yesterday.
This year’s Halifax Pride runs Saturday through Sunday, July 26. The popular parade takes place next Saturday in downtown Halifax.
“We have the mayor (Peter Kelly) and the premier,” Pride spokesman Ed Savage smiled at yesterday’s media launch at The Company House on Gottingen Street.
Dexter joined the parade last year when he served as opposition leader and has long supported the gay community, Savage noted. Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil will also take part.
Expect more floats tor the parade too, organizers said, as participants up their game.
“They realize so many people are there and to increase their visibility, they’re stepping up,” explained Pride’s Liz McQaid.
The ever-popular Dykes vs. Divas softball game returns as part of Halifax Pride this Sunday at 2 p.m. on the Canada Games Diamond at the Halifax Common. The drag queens will put on their high heels and skirts to try repeat last year’s victory over their foes.
Also, Artsy Fartsy is holding a youth art show at 7 p.m. Monday at FRED and a talent show at FRED 7 p.m. next Wednesday.
The tall ship Silva will take the party to the water the night of Thursday, July 23 with the Pride Boat Cruise starting at 10 p.m.
McQuaid said Pride is also growing its presence in Dartmouth with the Pride Family Picnic on Sunday, July 26 at noon on the Dartmouth Common.
“We’ve rented out the pool at the Dartmouth Sportsplex. The changing rooms are trans-friendly – we made sure everything was accessible to everyone,” McQuaid said.
For a complete list of events for Halifax Pride vsiit www.halifaxpride.ca.
