It was a beautiful and emotional afternoon at the Delta Pride Society’s (DPS) third annual Pride Picnic this past Saturday (Aug. 21), where hundreds stopped by to bask in the warm light of love and support.
Colourful Pride flags, balloon displays and attendee’s apparel lit up Ladner’s Memorial Park.
“It was such a big highlight. It’s a really beautiful thing seeing the work coming together for people, and we just want to love on this community endlessly … So many good interactions, it was just amazing,” said Christa Horita Kadach, vice president of the Delta Pride Society.
The afternoon’s entertainment was provided by dashing drag kings Justin Abit and Chris Topper, the jaw-droppingly gorgeous drag queen Myria LeNoir, and a talented youth trio from Waackingdom Dance Troupe.
There was also the usual “drag race”, where participants competed to throw together the best outfit the fastest while running between piles of shoes, bras, dresses and wigs.
Before the fun began, however, DPS president John Darras asked those gathered to participate in a moment of silence for all the Indigenous children whose remains have recently been found on the sites of former residential schools.
“We stand with our First Nations neighbours, family and friends at this time and always. Both communities have known discrimination, pain, and suffering and ongoing othering. We are similar but different, and we must stand together to protect and support each other,” said Darras.
He then encouraged folks to donate to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society by purchasing orange ribbons they had for sale.
Guests who also spoke at the picnic were Mayor George Harvie, Delta MP Carla Qualtrough, Delta South MLA Ian Paton, local comedian Darcy Michael, and Musqueam matriarch, activist and Decolonization educator Rhiannon Bennett.
She welcomed people on behalf of the Musqueam Indian Band.
“We always have to remember that Pride is a protest, that Pride is a demonstration. These spaces didn’t come because people graciously made them for you. We’ve had to fight every step of the way for what we have, and we have to remember that fight. We have to honour that fight and we have to keep it going,” said Bennett.
The Delta Pride Society would like to thank the City of Delta and everyone who came out on Saturday, including Pork Mafia food truck, Four Winds Brewing, PFLAG, Delta’s Chamber of Commerce, Delta Police, Delta Fire, Sher Vancouver and the amazing entertainers.
They also would like to thank Pure Sunfarms, Envision Financial and Boca Grande for their donations that made the event possible.
If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Delta Pride Society, reach out to them through Instagram or Facebook.
