I think it's great to see a community come out and support pride events across the country and globe. Seeing different business and organizations like banks, hotel chains, travel companies, etc., throw their money and personnel behind Pride moves us. Many say these are examples of the commercialization of prides, but I feel even if they are participating in our parades for their own benefit, it still is a supportive thing. We see local bars and churches doing the same thing, but we don't ridicule them. I remember one Austin Pride, the parade was around 3+ hours long, with corporations participating like Indeed, LinkedIn, Apple and other companies having a massive presence during the festivities (Apple alone had 3,000+ marchers).
One thing that many towns may have, but I haven't noticed is a local sports presence in their parades. I remember saying out loud "Oh wow!" when I read the following announcement in regard to Calgary Pride.
“Although I’m disappointed I am unable to attend this year’s Calgary Pride Parade, I’m extremely proud to see a strong contingent of CSEC players and staff represent the organization in what is an important event for the Calgary community,” said Brian Burke, Calgary Flames President of Hockey Operations and 2015 Calgary Pride Parade Grand Marshal.
In attendance Sunday, September 4th, 2016:
Troy Brouwer – Calgary Flames
Chad Johnson – Calgary Flames
Jordan Sigalet – Goaltending Coach, Calgary Flames
Matt Stajan – Calgary Flames
Matteo Gennaro – Calgary Hitmen
Taylor Sanheim – Calgary Hitmen
Jakob Stukel – Calgary Hitmen
Micheal Zipp – Calgary Hitmen
Mike Board – General Manager & Director of Business Operations, Calgary Roughnecks
Scott Carnegie – Calgary Roughnecks
Dane Dobbie – Calgary Roughnecks – flames.nhl.com
To have representatives of the city's two hockey, lacrosse, and football teams present sounds like an amazing thing! But it's not the first time these groups have participated, namely the Flames. The Calgary Flames tweeted out on Friday this message and video showing last year's participation.
#FlashbackFriday: The #Flames, @WHLHitmen, @NLLRoughnecks & @InfernoCWHL participated in the 2015 Pride Parade!
You can go to the Calgary Flames Twitter Page to see many more pics of this past Sunday's Parade.
We know the sports teams were present but how many other celebrants were there? The Calgary Herald . com has this to share about Calgary Pride 2016.
The event marked the largest parade in the event’s history, according to organizers, with 140 entries.
“We’re expecting 4,000 people to march in the parade today, and that’s a real testament to Calgary’s commitment to diversity,” Craig Sklenar, co-director of the Calgary Pride Parade, said moments before the parade got underway near the Calgary Tower.
Organizers also estimate the turnout of parade attendees was larger than last year’s 60,000 attendance.
“I can’t believe how many people there are,” said Dave Ross as he watched the parade from the street, surrounded by crowds full of children, families, couples and groups of friends.
“Things like the parade really open your eyes and you know that there’s a big community there to support you and make you feel at home,” he said.
Parade marshal Rae Spoon called the number of people at the event amazing.
“I never went to the Pride parade when I was living in Calgary because I was living at home and it wasn’t safe for me, so to have this many people here, I feel a lot safer, and I think a lot of people do,” they said.
…
Premier Rachel Notley told a huge crowd gathered at Millennium Park following the parade that Pride is not something to be celebrated for one day, but “every day of the year.”
She also reflected on the shooting that happened at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida earlier this year.
“It reminds us that we must never stop fighting to ensure that we all embrace and stand up for and fight for inclusion and respect and diversity,” she said.- calgaryherald.com
As mentioned, Premier Rachel Notley was present and part of her speech is below. You can also head over to calgaryherald.com to read more of their coverage.
Globalnews.ca shared this video about the rainbow sidewalk installation for Calgary Pride.
There were of course more people present at the parade than just politicians and sports team members. The crows were plentiful and celebrants many. Below you will see some of the other pics from calgaryherald.com. It was great to see that Community Programming, Channel 10 Calgary, AB, also know as Calgary ShawTV , covered most if not all of the parade in this hour and a half long video. That video is after the pictures. Thanks for sharing and celebrating! We may have to book our Labor Day Weekend plans for Calgary for next year.
h/t: Calgary ShawTV
Parade photos Lyle Aspinall/Postmedia Network