Pride season winds down at Calgary parade

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Calgary – September 8, 2017 – Keeping a wonderful tradition alive, UFCW Canada activists were loud and proud at the 27th Annual Calgary Pride Parade on September 3. Tens of thousands of spectators lined the streets of downtown Calgary as hundreds of participants paraded along 6th Avenue and through the East Village sporting colourful costumes, flags, and banners.

For the twelfth year in a row, UFCW Canada Local 401 activists made up one of the largest contingents at the parade, with the Local 401 float boldly decked out in UFCW blue and gold. Dozens of UFCW Local 401 and Local 1118 activists and family members marched in the event, handing out frisbees to the spectators along the 21-block parade route.

Activists were also joined by Premier Rachel Notley and much of the Alberta NDP caucus, who danced and engaged with participants as they marched in solidarity with their LGBTQI2S brothers and sisters.

“The energy at this year’s event was phenomenal, and Local 401's float was very well-received by parade-goers” says Rob Hellenius, Director of Communications, Education, and Organizing at UFCW Canada Local 401. “Thanks in no small part to the dedication and enthusiasm of UFCW members and staff, the 2017 Calgary Pride Parade was a great success,” he adds.

The 2017 parade capped off a week-long festival of dances, performances, and seminars to promote equality and inclusion in the Stampede City. Winding down the annual string of events celebrating and promoting LGBTQI2S rights across the country, the Calgary parade is the last big-city parade of Pride season in Canada.