Pride Week
Here is your one-stop shop for all things Pride Week!
Below you will find information on Kamloops Pride Week events, parade applications, booth applications, updates and of course, our fabulous sponsors who help make this all possible!
August 19-25, 2024
Kamloops Pride Week 2024
August 18 - August 25
Pride Week Events
Whokilledbambbi Pride Flash Event
Date: Friday, August 16
Time: 11:00am-6:00pm
Location: Fear City Tattoos
Pay what you can ($50 minimum)
There will be a variety of pride themed flash pieces to choose from. This will be a walk-in event, and first come first served. Check @whokilledbambbi on Instagram on Friday to see the flash sheet.
Accessibility:
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The shop is downstairs in the Rex building, and unfortunately no wheelchair ramp.
Hyperfixation Haven
Date: Tuesday, August 20
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: McArthur Park
Free Community Event!
Showcase your special interest! From Star Wars to Sexual Health to Crochet, share your hyperfixation! Not interested in sharing? Join us anyways to learn from a broad variety of knowledgeable and skillful community members!
If you'd like to facilitate a topic, bring a table, or arrange a picnic blanket for your topic, contact info@kamloopspride.com.
Accessibility:
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This is an outdoor event that may be subject to heat and/or smoke. Event will be cancelled for very unfavourable weather.
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We respect your decision to wear or not wear a mask at our events.
Trivia Night (19+)
After taking last year off, we're back with another round of Pride Trivia! Join us and Haus of Misfit at Red Collar Brewing & Distilling Co. for a night of fun and friendly competition. Test your knowledge on all things 2SLGBTQPIA+ related while enjoying great company and delicious drinks. Show off your expertise on queer history, pop culture, and more. Bring your friends and make new ones as you compete for the title of trivia champion. Don't miss out on this exciting event. See you there!
Accessibility
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Note: The venue is not wheelchair accessible, and there are 3 steps to get into the venue
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We respect your decision to wear or not wear a mask at our events
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Loud music and sounds will be present
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This is a 19+ event
Drag Queen Storytime
Date: Saturday, August 24
Time: 10:00am
Location: Tumbleweed Toys
Free Family Event!
Guess who’s back? It’s Ella! Back after an amazing storytime last year, we just had to have her again. This time we’ll be at Tumbleweed Toys (upstairs) for a few stories and a craft! Celebrate the (almost) end of our pride week before the Parade and Festival on Sunday at this family friendly event.
Accessibility
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Not wheelchair accessible, there are stairs required to get to the storytime area
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Plenty of seating available
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We respect your decision to wear or not wear a mask at our events
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All ages, family friendly event
Pride Parade
Date: Sunday August 25th
Time: 11:00am
Location: Victoria Street from 2nd to 5th Ave
Join Us for the Kamloops Pride Parade!
Come together with Kamloops Pride, our 2SLGBTQPIA+ community, organizations, and allies as we march proudly through the heart of Kamloops!
The parade kicks off at 11 AM on the corner of 2nd Ave and Seymour Street, turning onto Victoria Street and heading East, concluding at 5th Avenue. Let’s unite for a day filled with inclusivity, diversity, and PRIDE!
Staging begins at 9 AM on St. Paul Street and Battle Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. Registered groups must check in at the tent located at 3rd Ave and St. Paul Street. An accessible port-a-potty will be available in the staging area.
Community Members: If you’d like to march with us, please meet up with the Kamloops Pride group on 2nd Ave and St. Paul Street before 10:30 AM.
After the Parade: Join us at Riverside Park for the Kamloops Pride Festival from noon to 4 PM!
Important Reminders:
-Please respect our city by keeping the route clean. Remove any garbage or recycling created by your group.
-As per City of Kamloops regulations, please refrain from using confetti, glitter, chalk, paint, spray paint, or any other substances that might mark city or private property.
-Items may be handed out by walkers but cannot be thrown from vehicles or floats.
-Be mindful of prohibited items and actions: no alcohol, drugs, fireworks, open fires, or pyrotechnics. No handing out food or drinks, collecting donations, or public nudity (Criminal Code section 174.1).
-While political campaigning is not supported, passive display of signage and logos is permitted.
-Kamloops Pride reserves the right to refuse entry to any organization acting against our mission, values, or those of the 2SLGBTQPIA+ and intersecting communities.
-Parade viewers are kindly asked not to approach moving vehicles.
Note: The parade will be filmed and televised by Shaw Spotlight.
Let’s make this Pride Parade a celebration to remember! See you there!
FruitCake: After Party (19+)
The official afterparty of Kamloops Pride Festival!
Get ready for an unforgettable night at the "FruitCake: Afterparty," the official after party for the Kamloops Pride Festival 2024! Join us at Nightshift on 5th for an evening filled with fabulous entertainment, vibrant energy, and pure celebration.
Schedule:
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5 PM - 7 PM: Kick off the evening with a beer garden style vibe, complete with tables and chairs for you to relax and mingle.
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6 PM: A variety of talent takes the stage, featuring burlesque, pole dancing, drag performances, and more.
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7 PM: The main drag show begins, showcasing a minimum of five incredible drag artists. Talent announcements start in mid-July – stay tuned!
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9 PM - Midnight: DJ dancing to keep the party going with the freshest beats and an electrifying atmosphere.
**Please note this schedule is subject to change without notice**
Don't miss out on this full queer night at Nightshift! Celebrate pride, diversity, and community in the most fabulous way possible. Grab your tickets early and join us for a night to remember!
Puzzle Competition
Each ticket costs $10 per team of 4
Rules for competition:
Each team will consist of four people.
Each team will need a team name when signing up.
Doors will open at 5:45pm. The competition will start at exactly 6pm.
Each team may bring their own puzzle boards and sorting trays.
Prizes:
First place: each team member can pick a 1000 piece puzzle
Second place: each team member can pick a 500 piece puzzle
Third place: the team may pick a 500 piece puzzle for everyone to share
Youth Dance
Join us for an unforgettable night of celebration, connection, and fun at the Pride Week Youth Dance! 🌈
Theme: Authentically You
This year’s theme is all about embracing who you are, exactly as you are. Whether you're a member of the queer community or an ally, this dance is a space to express yourself freely, connect with others, and celebrate diversity in all its forms.
Who’s Invited?
This event is open to queer youth under 18 and their allies. We’re creating a safe, inclusive environment where everyone can dance, have fun, and be their true selves. Get ready to dance the night away with beats provided by Your DJ! It's going to be a night to remember!
Free Tickets & Donations
All tickets are free! Donations will be accepted at the door to help support future events.
Safety First
We’ve got a dedicated team of adult volunteers and chaperones to ensure the night is safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Please use the upper door to access the event. If stairs are a barrier, let us know and we will open a separate door with elevator access instead of stairs.
Accessibility:
Please use the upper level door which has 5 stairs to access the venue. If required, we will open the lower door which has no stairs and has an elevator to access the upper floor. Upper level door is at the front of the building on St. Paul Street.
Kelson Hall has single stall, gender neutral washrooms. There are 17 toilets, 3 urinals, and 1 accessible sized stall.
We respect your decision to wear or not wear a mask at our events
There will be loud music and flashing lights, but no strobe lights at the dance.
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Special thank you to Western Canada Theatre and Kamloops Symphony Orchestra for the venue donation!
Pride Party (19+)
We had such a fun night at our pop up club night in June, that we decided to do it all over again for Pride Week - and this time we invited a special guest. DJ Krista Mac will be joining us for the evening all the way from Vancouver! Come celebrate Pride Week at our fabulous event hosted at The Effie Arts Collective. Get ready for a night of music, dancing, and fun surrounded by a community that embraces everyone for who they are.
Whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or an ally, this party is for everyone who believes in equality and inclusivity. Dress in your most colorful and festive attire, bring your friends, and let's make unforgettable memories at the Pride Party. See you there!
Accessibility
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Gender-neutral washrooms available
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Note: The venue is not wheelchair accessible (ramp is broken), and there are 3 steps to get into the venue
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Standing room only, with very limited seating available for those who need it
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We respect your decision to wear or not wear a mask at our events
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Bright and/or strobe lights, loud music and sounds, and use of fog machines and/or other chemicals or smells may be present
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This is a 19+ event
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Kamloops Pride volunteers will be available throughout the event to help you with water, calling a cab, or anything else we can.
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Some PWYC tickets are available, please reach out to info@kamloopspride.com to inquire
Ella's Pride Drag Brunch
Performers: Ella Lamoureux & Autumn Horizon
16+ show - adult humour - all minors must be present with a legal guardian
Join us at Bright Eye Brewing in Kamloops for a dazzling celebration of Kamloops Pride with Ella's Drag Brunch! This special edition features the fabulous Ella Lamoureux as our host, with the local sensational Autumn Horizon as our special guest.
Celebrate the main week of Kamloops Pride with performances that promise to entertain, inspire, and captivate. Tickets are available for $25, excluding food, tax, and a ticketing fee. Ensure to grab your spot for this vibrant and colourful tribute to diversity and inclusion.
Don’t miss this chance to sparkle with pride and joy at one of the most anticipated events of the season!
Food and drinks not included in the ticket.
Pride Festival
Date: Sunday August 25th
Time: 12:00-4:00pm
Location: Riverside Park Bandshell
Dive into the Kamloops Pride 2024 Festival at Riverside Park! 🌈
Get ready for a day full of celebration, community, and fun! Enjoy live performances from local talents at the bandshell, indulge in mouthwatering offerings from a diverse lineup of food trucks, and explore the creativity of local artists and artisans. Whether you’re flying solo or coming with friends and family, there’s something for everyone—fun activities, local business vendors, and opportunities to connect with community outreach groups. Let’s come together for a day of inclusivity, diversity, and PRIDE!
🍴 Food Truck Line-up:
My Big Fat Greek Food Truck
Kochi Bao
Kuzina Messer Culinaire
Twisted Lemon
Starbucks
& more!