Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
The Jasper Pride Festival adapted to the COVID-era this year by offering more private versions of activities and streaming LGBTQ+ entertainment virtually.
Presented by TD Bank Group, the festival ran from April 22 to 25.
鈥淎ll in all, considering the rapidly changing climate that we had the festival put on in, it was definitely a success for us,鈥� said Nick Stadnyk, chair for the Jasper Pride Festival Society.
鈥淚n comparison to the one event that we had last year, this year was a lot more fleshed out and it was just a lot more realized.鈥�
The festival officially kicked off with the society鈥檚 board and delegates raising the Pride Flag, which spectators watched virtually.
DJ Thomas Culture later performed for the virtual Apr猫s Pride Dance Party, and the society collaborated with Fruit Loop to produce a two-part film titled Jasper Proud & Free.
Other events included the Pride Beer Launch, a fireside chat about Indigenous culture, the Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival, the Pride Flag ski run at Marmot Basin and a variety of classes and workshops.
Jasper has also been showing its Pride through the rainbow street banners, while residents and businesses have been putting up Pride Flags in their windows.
Although noting that virtual delivery worked well and may continue in tandem with in-person festivities post-pandemic, Stadnyk is anticipating a return to normal next year.
鈥淛ust having human interactions really does elevate the spirit of the festival and does make it feel a lot more inclusive that way, but I think the spirit translated decently well online as well.鈥�
