“It’s grown already, considering three years ago I think a few handfuls of people showed up and were a part of pride weekend,” said J枚rg Michel, spokesperson for OUT Jasper. “Last year there were more than 300 people who attended just our main event.”
Jasper’s Pride Weekend is “pretty unique” because “it’s a healthy mix between young and old, local/non-local, gay or straight ... everybody can show up and everybody can feel comfortable.”
Weekend festivities kick off with a welcome mixer and silent auction on Friday, April 12 at Marmot Lodge. “We have a lot of new events, we hope that it’s going to be the biggest Jasper Pride Weekend yet,” said Michel.
Jasper Pride is working with Calgary’s Fairy Tales Presentation Society to present a Soir茅e and Dinner, featuring screenings of LGBTQ films from Calgary’s Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival.
The newly founded Jasper Gay-Straight High School Alliance will host a PJ pancake breakfast and fashion show for youth under 18.
There’s also plenty of snow activities for those seeking outdoor adventure. Skiers and boarders can participate in Marmot Basin’s Aloha Cup, which coincides with Pride Weekend. “We’ll have an extra section up on the hill for the OUT event,” said Michel.
Another event is the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association cowboy/cowgirl breakfast featuring the all-female band Hashmagandi.
Finally, the weekend’s not-to-be-missed celebration is the Fairy Tales and Legends Pride Party, complete with the “Guys in Disguise” drag show.
A complete list of events is available at . Jasper Pride Weekend also has a Facebook page under the same name.
Tickets are available at the respective events, at the welcome mixer, or in advance at OUT Jasper, Coco’s Cafe, Bloom Hair and Body Studio, and the concierge desk at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
