Calgary

Pride flag raised at McDougall Centre for first time

An Alberta cabinet minister raised the Pride flag at downtown Calgary's McDougall Centre for the first time.

Rainbow crosswalk also complete near the Calgary Tower

The Pride flag flies on top of the McDougall Centre in downtown Calgary. (Dan McGarvey/CBC)

An Alberta cabinet minister raised the Pride flag at downtown Calgary's McDougall Centre for the first time.

Culture and Tourism Minister Ricardo Miranda hoisted the flag from the roof of the provincial government building as part of the Calgary Pride celebrations going on this long weekend.

A rainbow crosswalk is also complete at the corner of 8 Avenue and Centre Street downtown by the Calgary Tower. The crosswalk almost didn't happen this year, but was saved by a crowdfunding campaign.

A rainbow crosswalk is painted at Eighth Avenue and Centre Street as part of the Calgary Pride festival. (Dan McGarvey/CBC)

The Calgary Pride parade hits the streets on Sept. 4 at noon with writer, musician and filmmaker Rae Spoon as the parade marshal.

Representatives from more than 125 groups, corporations, politicians and churches will march through the heart of downtown and celebrate the city's diversity. 

Politicians, pride supporters and members of the media look up at the rainbow flag proudly flying on top of the McDougall Centre in downtown Calgary. (CBC)