PRIDE PARADE

Regina’s largest-ever pride event today.

The city’s largest ever LGBT pride parade is taking place today.

With more than 50 entries, there will be a number of people taking part in the parade as it makes its way through the downtown streets.

It will feature some new entries this year, including the Roughriders mascot, Gainer the Gopher. The Regina Police Services pipe and drum band will also be on hand.

“That’s going to be really nice,” said Dan Shier, director of marketing for the parade.

Marching bands, religious organizations, MLAs, MPs, city councillors and participants from the latest season of Big Brother Canada will all be taking part in the parade.

“ORGANIZERS AREN’T BOTHERED BY THE MAYOR MISSING BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY BEFORE.” DAN SHIER

There will also be a special appearance by the drag Empress of Canada, Avaughna Sanoir, and the unveiling of many brand-new parade floats.

Mayor Michael Fougere will not be in attendance this year. He is visiting family in Manitoba instead. Shier said organizers aren’t bothered by the mayor missing because he has been supportive of the LGBT community before.

“He has definitely been there for us,” said Shier, adding Fougere was on hand when the pride flag was raised at City Hall on Monday.

The parade starts at noon at the corner of 13th Avenue and Broad Street. It will head west on 13th before going north on Scarth Street.

At Victoria Avenue, the parade will head east before cutting south on Broad all the way to College Avenue, where it will turn toward Albert Street.

Then the parade will head north on Albert toward Victoria, before finishing on Lorne Street, by Victoria Park.

Following the parade will be a concert, barbecue, beer gardens, and kids’ area at Victoria Park from 1-5 p.m.

The pride festival wraps up with Pride After Dark, a dance and live music event featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race star Shangela Laquifa at 8 p.m.