Fraser Valley Pride celebrations to shine rainbows on B.C.'s Bible Belt

As we continue into the summer season, rainbows are sprouting up all across British Columbia.

East Vancouver, Surrey, and Victoria all had their Pride celebrations. Next up, it's the Fraser Valley's turn.

The Fraser Valley Youth Society is holding the Fraser Valley Pride Celebration on Saturday (July 15).

It'll be held at Jubilee Park (2478 McCallum Road) in Abbotsford from noon to 4 p.m.

The annual Pride walk will leave the park at 1 p.m. to march through downtown Abbotsford, before returning to the park.

From 2 to 2:30 p.m., they'll be hitting the stage with a rainbow flash mob with DJ Baddmixx.

The free event will include musical entertainment by Vancouver's Queer as Funk and the Fraser Valley all-gay band The Tee as well as drag queens. Food and drink will be available from venders.

In the evening, there'll be the Fraser Valley Pride annual drag show, dinner, and dance fundraiser at the Abbotsford Legacy Sports Centre (32470 Haida Drive, Abbotsford). Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the dinner starting at 6:30 p.m.

Drag performers will include Mz. Adrien, Anida Tythole, Robin Loveless, and Buck Rosechuck, plus Vancouver standup comedian Julia Stretch will also perform.

Tickets and information are available from Fraser Valley Pride.

An attempt to hold a Pride march in the Fraser Valley in 2008 was deterred by opposition but Walk Away From Homophobia marches were held annually thereafter. The first official Fraser Valley Pride march was held in 2013.

The Pride flag was raised at Abbotsford City Hall in 2015 for the first time but faced opposition.