LGBT in B.C.: Okanagan Pride celebrates a decade of queer events in Kelowna

While New West Pride is getting the LGBT party started in New Westminster starting tomorrow (August 12) and continuing until August 19, there's another Pride party underway in B.C. with the same dates.

Okanagan Pride is celebrating a decade of rainbow celebrations from August 12 to 19 in Kelowna.

In addition to the requisite dance parties, there's also a community picnic, an 18-carat golf tournament, and two film screenings.

On Tuesday (August 15), there's a showing of Bruce McDonald's 2016 feature film Weirdos, set in 1976, follows a guy questioning his sexuality leaves his repressive father and takes a road trip across Nova Scotia with his girlfriend to go live with his mother.

Meanwhile, Canadian singer-songwriter Rae Spoon, who talks about growing up trans on the Canadian Prairies, is the focus of the 2013 documentary-musical My Prairie Home and will screen on August 20.

To raise awareness about transgender rights, a trans march and social event will be held on Thursday (August 17).

If you're into drag racing, Kelowna's Next Drag Superstar Competition will be held on Friday (August 18).

The main event—the Pride march—will be held on August 19, followed by a festival featuring everything from a dog show to a beer garden. There'll even be a mass wedding for LGBT people and allies to get married.

(Of course, for any outdoor activities, those with respiratory concerns should check the air-quality index for Kelowna due to smoke from the B.C. wildfires.)

Needless to say, there's plenty going on to keep you busy. For full details, visit the Okanagan Pride website.