Jasper was awash in rainbow colours as the town celebrated its seventh annual Jasper Pride Festival, March 17 to 20.
By all accounts this was the biggest festival yet, with 24 events over fours days and more than 1,000 people descending on the town to partake in the festivities.
Organizers kicked things off March 17, with a flag raising ceremony at the emergency services building.
The event was well attended and included politicians from all three levels of government, including Deputy Mayor Helen Kelleher-Empey, West Yellowhead MLA Eric Rosendahl and Yellowhead MP Jim Eglinski.
Alberta鈥檚 Minister of Culture and Tourism Ricardo Miranda was also in attendance as the province鈥檚 first openly gay cabinet minister and the highest-ranking government official to attend the festival in its seven-year history.
While there were speeches from each of the delegates, it was Eglinski鈥檚 off-script comments that garnered the warmest applause.
鈥淚 look back eight or nine years ago when my grandson came to me and said, 鈥楶apa, I want to wear an earring,鈥欌�� recalled Eglinski, 鈥淚鈥檓 kind of a redneck type guy and I said, 鈥業 don鈥檛 think so,鈥� and he didn鈥檛, but you know just three months ago I had another grandson call and say, 鈥楶apa, I鈥檓 gay.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of him for stepping out and admitting that and coming forward,鈥� said Eglinski to rousing ovation.
Following the flag raising ceremony, events continued throughout the weekend, with live music provided by Lucas Silveira Thursday night and Kate Reid on Friday.
Prior to hitting the main stage at the Legion, Reid dropped into Coco鈥檚 Cafe earlier in the afternoon to play some acoustic songs and talk with members of Jasper鈥檚 Gay Straight Alliance.
The warm atmosphere lent itself to some great discussions about the LGBTQ community and the challenges young people face. It was also an opportunity to meet three MLA鈥檚 that identify as LGBTQ.
Later that evening there was an all-male burlesque show by Edmonton鈥檚 Man-Up at the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre, followed by a Lum-Bear-Jack-Party at the Whistle Stop Pub, which included a beard contest.
On Saturday, people dressed up in their rainbow colours and hit Marmot Basin for a fun filled afternoon on the hill. There were also several opportunities throughout the weekend to enjoy other outdoor activities, including ice walks in Maligne Canyon and guided ice climbing adventures.
Saturday evening, organizers hosted a movie dinner in support of fYrefly, an educational initiative developed to help reduce discrimination against sexual and gender minority youth.
The evening was a mix of speeches and inspiring testimonials about coming-out and included four short-films curated by Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival from Calgary.
鈥淏eing a teen growing up can be awkward and very difficult, especially if you feel like you do not belong or have a support system,鈥� said Miranda during his keynote speech.
鈥淎s a teenager coming of age, as a gay person, I have to say that I truly understand just how scary high school can be.鈥�
Miranda, who became minister of culture and tourism in February, talked frankly about constantly living in fear that someone would unwillingly drag him out of the closest when he wasn鈥檛 ready and how that fear made him feel isolated.
鈥淚 could have only dreamed to have an organization like fYrefly when I was in school. It would have provided a safe haven for me and for those of us who needed it, who I knew were also there with me, but could not come out,鈥� said Miranda.
The evening wrapped up with a well-attended 007 gala at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, where people put on their best James Bond themed attire to celebrate the festival鈥檚 seventh year.
On Sunday, the festival signed off for another year with a pride brunch, a movie matinee and an apr猫s pride party.
Paul Clarke
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