Saskatchewan

Regina's Queen City Pride kicks off festivities

This year there are over 55 events organized by Queen City Pride, making this the biggest Pride celebration in the city's history.

Pride officially started on Friday at the Saskatchewan Legislature

Queen City Pride organizer Dan Shier says members of the gender and sexually diverse community want to support their allies, including the Knox-Metropolitan United Church. (Alec Salloum/CBC Saskatchewan)

Regina's Queen City Pride Festival is in full swing after a flag-raising ceremony on Friday night.

The Pride Festival celebrations continued Saturday with a community fair at the Regina Farmers' Market. The fair on Scarth Street featured several tables set up by local vendors and community organizations, all of whom were showcasing the LGBT-friendly services offered in the city.

Also offered at the fair were several pieces of rainbow merchandise, including mugs, flags, umbrellas and several other items emblazoned with rainbows.

Dan Shier, co-chair of Queen City Pride, said that this year's festival has well over 55 events, making it the largest Pride event held in Regina.

The community fair was also a chance to grab some Pride gear. (Alec Salloum/CBC Saskatchewan)

Having been with Pride for six years, Shier has noticed a change in attitudes in Regina. 

"Businesses have flags in front of their businesses," said Shier. "Really, the city's starting to change its colours and get ready for summer with Pride."

The event, which runs until June 18 this year, has grown in almost every respect in the past few years, Shier said.

"We've definitely grown from kind of a small seven-day, one-week festival, to now we've now expanded to 10 days, 55 plus events. It's a lot bigger and there's a lot more happening for all sorts of different people."

For a full list of Pride events, visit the Queen City Pride website