With Creston celebrating its centennial this year, 2024 is a fitting time to make history.
OUTspoken, the local 2SLGBTQ+ community, plans to host the town乌鸦传媒檚 first Pride festival on the last weekend of June.
Since forming in 2017, this is a huge milestone for the group. Along the way, OUTspoken hasn乌鸦传媒檛 always been met with acceptance. From public harassment to online vitriol, Creston乌鸦传媒檚 2SLGBTQ+ have struggled to feel safe in their own hometown. But now thanks to an outpouring of support, OUTspoken has gained momentum with a committee 22-members strong.
It began in October last year during the SOGI protests, when some members realized how much their presence was needed.
乌鸦传媒淭he difference is the love this time, the hate has always been there,乌鸦传媒� said Nikolas, co-ordinator for OUTspoken. 乌鸦传媒淲e've had so many people come up to us and say, 乌鸦传媒楾hat is not the Creston that I want to live in.乌鸦传媒櫸谘淮綕
The Advance has chosen to withhold the co-ordinators' last names.
Over the last six months of planning the festival, OUTspoken has worked towards visibility around town with a Pride flag at town hall and a regular booth at the Creston Valley Farmers乌鸦传媒� Market.
乌鸦传媒淢y goal is to show other people in this community that they乌鸦传媒檙e not alone,乌鸦传媒� said Sara, also a co-ordinator for OUTspoken. 乌鸦传媒淲e want to highlight and celebrate what we've achieved so far and what our community is all about.乌鸦传媒�
The hate-fuelled, hurtful comments their members have received over the last seven years have been 乌鸦传媒渦nsettling and scarring,乌鸦传媒� causing OUTspoken to go quiet at times.
乌鸦传媒淭hat's why we're holding Pride Fest, because it's not about hiding,乌鸦传媒� said Sara. 乌鸦传媒淚t's time for us to be loud and be proud. I want to be happy about who I am in my community 乌鸦传媒� a community that is proving to be more inclusive, more open, and understanding.乌鸦传媒�
The festival will be held on June 29, the day after the Stonewall riots of 1969 in New York City, in solidarity and remembrance.
The event will be hosted at Mountain Park Resort starting with a market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with vendors coming from as far as Vancouver and Kelowna. In the afternoon, anyone is welcome to join the talent show from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The celebration will continue into the evening with music, special guest performers, dancing, and games from 8 to 10:30 p.m.
It is all thanks to the work of volunteers and crowdfunding.
乌鸦传媒淲e have an incredible committee of people who have given their heart and soul,乌鸦传媒� said Sara. 乌鸦传媒淚 am incredibly excited to be able to provide a place where we can feel safe, where we can have a fun atmosphere, where we can enjoy ourselves and celebrate our history.乌鸦传媒�
Another big motivation for hosting the festival is to bring tourism dollars into the Creston Valley, especially during a year when the local orchards are struggling due to unusual weather.
乌鸦传媒淐ommunity growth is a big part of it,乌鸦传媒� said Nikolas. 乌鸦传媒淲e can help with that. Every person who comes for Pride Fest also needs to eat meals or stay the night. That's something that could be a regular thing, bringing people to town for entertainment.乌鸦传媒�
Volunteers and donations for festival support or prizes are still needed. To help, get in touch through the OUTspoken Facebook page or at outspoken-creston@hotmail.com.
