Port Alberni's 2SLGBTQIA+ community is gearing up for a week of fun activities.
The Alberni Valley Pride Society has planned a week of entertainment for this year's Pride Week, which runs from Sunday, June 1 to Saturday, June 7.
Events kick off with a car wash by donation on Sunday, June 1 at the 7-Eleven on Redford Street and 10th Avenue between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Monday, June 2 is all about fitness, as Alberni Fitness will host a queer-inspired spin class with entry by donation. Call 250-735-2914 to register.
A free Pride Yoga session will also take place at North Island College's Indigenous Outdoor Gathering Space at 7 p.m. Participants are asked to bring their own mat, towel and water.
On Tuesday, June 3, Twin City Brewing will host a Schitt's Creek Trivia and Costume Contest inspired by the hit Canadian sitcom. The event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance by contacting Twin City Brewing.
A free, family-friendly Pride BBQ will take place at Alberni Valley United Church on Wednesday, June 4 from 5-7 p.m. There will be chalk and bubbles activities for the kids.
On Thursday, June 5, there will be free rollerblading at the Glenwood Centre from 6:15–8:15 p.m. Free skate rentals are available.
The local library will host a Drag Queen Story Time hour on Friday, June 6 from 4–5 p.m. Local drag queen Miss Frida will be reading to the audience. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The festivities will come to an end on Saturday, June 7 with a Pride Dance Party at the Next Level Night Club. This event is for ages 19+ only and runs from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Karaoke is at 7 p.m. and a pole performance will take place at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door and are cash only.
"We wanted to cater to a wide range of interests," explained Jessica Hall, the acting chair of the Pride Society. "We have art, dance, fitness, trivia. There are events for kids and families. We are trying to reach the greatest number of ages, interest levels and groups as possible."
Alberni Valley Pride Society first started hosting Pride Week activities back in 2021. Hall says the first week of June was selected because it falls in line with School District 70 (Pacific Rim)'s Pride Week, as well.
"I would say our overall goal is to have more people understand that everyone has a place in our community," said Hall. "Everyone deserves to be accepted and seen."
Hall says the reception from the community has been "very positive" in past years.
"Last year's drag queen story time was the most well-attended story time they've ever had at the library," said Hall. "This year, we've had additional businesses and groups in town reaching out to organize their own Pride-themed events. It's been lovely to see groups in town getting involved."
The City of Port Alberni's Parks and Recreation Department, for example, will be hosting a Pride-themed resin art workshop on Friday, May 30. People can register for this workshop at www.playinpa.ca.
Courageous Community, which operates out of the Alberni Valley United Church (3747 Church Street), will also host a Night Temple on Sunday, June 1 at 7 p.m. This will feature music and content exclusively created by people from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The Grove Art Gallery, meanwhile, will be hosting a pair of events to mark the occasion. On Saturday, May 31, the gallery will hold an adult watercolour class from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person and are available online at www.alberniarts.com/events. A free, family-friendly artmaking open house will take place at the gallery on Sunday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To support Alberni Valley Pride Society, donations can be e-transferred to albernivalleypride@gmail.com. Donations will go towards recouping the cost of Pride Week events, but the Pride Society also raises funds each year for bursaries and scholarships, which are given to graduating Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS) students.
"Over the past few years, we've expanded the number of scholarships we give out," explained Hall. "Most of our fundraising events will be going towards those scholarships.
EDITED: To correct time for June 1 car wash to 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
