Vancouver Pride 2025

The Vancouver Pride Parade started at 1:00 pm this year. We didn't head downtown until noon and took the SkyTrain to the Waterfront. Then, we got on the Canada Line and, like thousands of others, we exited at the Roundhouse Arts and Community Centre. The parade started promptly but the procession was blocked for close to 40 minutes. 

Those supporting Palestine attempted to hijack the parade to highlight their cause. It's a shame because rather than ensure positive publicity, they impinged on the rights of other citizens. However, the equality and treatment of gays and lesbians is not a demonstrated concern in LGBT-adverse regions.  The lack of preparation by local organizers and police to avoid the situation felt like an insult.

The parade march and festivities eventually continued.  The luster wasn't lost on the advances toward tolerance and diversity made over the last half century. We ducked into a Subway sandwich shop and had bowls before walking all the way up Davie Street to the the closed section at the gay village.   This street event hadn't occurred in six years!  It seems a bit poorly organized and boring but at least it should restart the event for future years.

Vancouver Pride Parade from Pacific St. near David Lam Park   

   

Davie Village Pride Festival

In Contrast to Russia ...

The Vancouver Pride Parade is an important summer festival for the city. The annual demonstration of equality and inclusion attracts over a half a million downtown. Some early estimates have indicated 650,000 may have been in attendance. Today was its 35th year. We're lived here for about half of them. Cynics may deride the commercialization, but the spirit of such a gathering should never be downplayed. The realization of basic, human rights is a long ways from being universal in many parts of the world.


The parade always ends at Sunset Beach with organizations' booths, entertainment, and food.

Gotta Love It

Oh joyous day! The weather is great. We have a long weekend coming up as Monday is a provincial holiday named BC Day. More importantly, we live in a very geographically beautiful, ethnically vibrant, and culturally tolerant area of the world.


The 36th Vancouver Pride Parade takes place this Sunday.
In addition, I completed all the marks for the class I finished teaching yesterday and turned in the marks electronically. I am not teaching during the entire month of August and will be taking leave during September and October. My e-bike runs like a charm. I'm financially well off and in good health to boot. I can't think of any reason not to be joyous.

It Didn't Rain . . .

on our parade this year!


In fact, it was a great day for the annual event with people packing Sixth Street from the top of this hill to down and around the corner at Queens. I think there were more folks about than in any previous year we were in attendance. It is interesting to see how things evolve. For example, I counted at least five Chinese dragons this year as well as the Falon Gong who make just about every summer event in the Metro-Vancouver region. Washington State festivals and several high school marching bands were up and about this year but perhaps financial cutbacks prevented anyone from further afield. Thankfully, the Seafair Pirates showed up with enough gunpowder to blast everyone's eardrums near the end of the parade.

Wonderful Weather

Modern Images of BC's First Capital

I really like living in downtown New Westminster. We can't imagine being happier in any other suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia. We feel the sense of community and are sitting in the exact geographical center of the Lower Mainland. Things seem as if they're growing and moving.



On Flickr I created a group named, New Westminster, BC (The Royal City). Apparently other people have digital photos that highlight the subject. Sixty-three others have joined me in uploading photos of New West. In fact, all combined there are now over a thousand of them!

Razzle Dazzle 'Em

Our city's Hyack Festival Parade was today. Now it's billed as The Largest International Parade in Western Canada.

There were something in the neighbourhood of 136 entries this year. That made it several hours long. As usual the 'Seafair Pirates' pulled up the rear exploding their cannon in shock waves that made poodles tremble in fear.

While the parade was en route though, I was thinking how people, similar to crows, like shiny objects. The local students did a fine job but there is certainly something 'showy' about the visitors. Many high school marching bands were up from the US. This video shows a group of Californian students.

With all the flash, I couldn't help but think of the music from the musical Chicago. Then, with a strange twist of fate, a few minutes ago, I watched the song mentioned in the title in HD. The 2002 movie version is on NBC tonight!