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Hot, hot, hot: Vancouver’s Pride Parade heats up the streets on its return

August 1, 2022
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The return of the Pride Parade and Festival lit up the streets of Vancouver’s West End and brought thousands together after the pandemic hiatus

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Aug 1, 2022 • 3 hours ago • 2 minutes read • 23 comments Action scenes from the Pride Parade on Denman Street in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 31, 2022. Photo by NICK PROCAILLO /PNG

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A light breeze off the waters of English Bay helped cool the enthusiastic crowds that lined Beach Avenue on Sunday for the 44th annual Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival.

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An extreme heat warning didn’t deter thousands of people who wanted to celebrate 2SLGBTQAI+ communities as the event returned to the streets of Vancouver after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

The Pride parade and festival, called “Together Again,” was one of the most anticipated major events of the summer and took place less than 24 hours after the final night of Vancouver’s celebration of light fireworks.

Each of the community events drew huge crowds to English Bay, prompting parade host artist Kendall Gender to joke that overnight the neighborhood “went from gay pride to gay pride.”

Dear Artist and Route Leader Joan-E (Robert Kaiser) at the 2022 Vancouver Pride Parade on Sunday, July 31, 2022. Photo by Staff Photo

Drag performer Joan-Ye, Jender’s co-host, who wore a long-sleeve black maxi dress encrusted with crystals, wasn’t going to let the scorching sun force a wig or wardrobe change. “I’ll be fine. I’m a tough old woman,” she said.

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Ally Duke came early to find a spot on the shady side of the parade route for her family, including Cameron, 10, and Julianna, 8. Duke said that as a “weird single mom,” the event’s return means a lot to her family . Daughter Juliana said she missed the “candy, flags and drag queens” during the event’s two-year absence, while son Cameron said he was there to “celebrate inclusion.”

Ally Duke with children Cameron (left) and Juliana at the 2022 Vancouver Pride Parade on Sunday, July 31, 2022. Photo by staff photo

The opportunity to be included on Sunday was emotional for Lewis Kraus, a new permanent resident of Canada. Kraus, who emigrated from Panama, said he was never able to celebrate his identity or sexuality without fear of persecution in his home country.

Krauss’ fiance, Mike Maciag, who sported pink hot pants and a rainbow manicure, said the couple had celebrated Pride among their close circle of friends during the pandemic, but were excited to finally be able to celebrate with others again .

Fiance Mike Maciag and Louis Krauss at the 2022 Vancouver Pride Parade on Sunday, July 31, 2022. Photo by staff photo

The annual celebration of diversity and equality wouldn’t be complete without a few tutus, rainbow capes and denim pants, and onlookers turned out dressed in sequins, feathers and fur.

As organizers distributed water along the parade route, Vancouver Fire and Rescue cooled the crowd with water guns and super soakers. BC Ambulance deployed additional resources, including an incident commander, communications (dispatch) officer, logistics officer, three additional ambulance crews, plus UTV (utility terrain vehicle) and bicycle paramedic teams.

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  1. Action scenes from the Denman St Pride Parade. in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 31, 2022. Photo by NICK PROCAILLO /PNG

  2. Action scenes from the Denman St Pride Parade. in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 31, 2022. Photo by NICK PROCAILLO /PNG

  3. Action scenes from the Denman St Pride Parade. in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 31, 2022. Photo by NICK PROCAILLO /PNG

  4. Action scenes from the Denman St Pride Parade. in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 31, 2022. Photo by NICK PROCAILLO /PNG

  5. Action scenes from the Denman St Pride Parade. in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 31, 2022. Photo by NICK PROCAILLO /PNG

  6. Action scenes from the Denman St Pride Parade. in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 31, 2022. Photo by NICK PROCAILLO /PNG

  7. Action scenes from the Denman St Pride Parade. in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 31, 2022. Photo by NICK PROCAILLO /PNG

  8. Action scenes from the Denman St Pride Parade. in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 31, 2022. Photo by NICK PROCAILLO /PNG

  9. Action scenes from the Denman St Pride Parade. in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 31, 2022. Photo by NICK PROCAILLO /PNG

  10. Action scenes from the Denman St Pride Parade. in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 31, 2022. Photo by NICK PROCAILLO /PNG

  11. Sister Diversity Rains waits for the start of the Vancouver Pride Parade in Vancouver on Sunday, July 31, 2022. Photo by DARRYL DYKE THE CANADIAN PRESS

  12. A rainbow flag flies from a hockey stick as people gather as they wait for Dykes on Bikes to lead off the Vancouver Pride Parade, in Vancouver, Sunday, July 31, 2022. Photo by DARRYL DYKE THE CANADIAN PRESS /THE CANADIAN PRESS

  13. Bubbles fill the air as people stand on a float as others march along the sidelines during the Vancouver Pride Parade, in Vancouver, Sunday, July 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Daryl Dyck Photo by DARRYL DYCK THE CANADIAN PRESS/THE CANADIAN PRESS

  14. Kevin Young smiles as he puts on a suit before marching in the Vancouver Pride Parade, in Vancouver, Sunday, July 31, 2022. Photo by DARRYL DYKE THE CANADIAN PRESS

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BCEHS also activated an emergency coordination center and clinical safety plan to maintain patient and staff safety in the event of dramatic spikes in demand.

BCEHS said eight people were transported to the hospital, but most were not for heat-related reasons.

dryan@postmedia.com

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