WEYBURN - Pride Week in Weyburn will be celebrated from June 16 to 22.
Shyla Brealt, of the Weyburn Pride Committee noted that they have been planning events since the spring.
“We decided to come together and create a whole Pride Committee that will be planning events throughout the year. We have a group of people that planned a different event for each day of Pride Week.”
“Our mission, for this first year at least, is to bring awareness to the community. We want to educate the public and also just really emphasize that we’re a safe space for any youth or adults that feel like they need that support.”
Pride Week events in Weyburn will begin with crosswalk painting on Third Street and Souris Avenue on June 16.
The Weyburn Arts Council also requested a Pride Flag rising outside City Hall on June 17 at 12 noon, and that was approved by city council at their recent meeting. Later that same evening, a gallery mixer and author reading will be held at the Weyburn Art Gallery.
“Victoria (the author) is actually part of the committee with us, so we’re very honoured to have her read one of her books,” said Brealt. “I don’t think she’s actually letting out which one she’s going to be reading for us yet. I think she might do a little bit of a snippet of a couple for us.”
A ‘Love is Love’ sign painting session will be held at Collabartive Art Studio on June 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
“There’s no cost because that’s being covered by Weyburn Arts Council. Actually, there’s no cost to the public to attend any of the events,” said Brealt.
The Weyburn Public Library will host a ‘rainbow cupcakes’ program on June 19, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Residents are encouraged to register for this event by calling the Weyburn Library.
Crocus 80 Theatre will host karaoke and games at the Tommy Douglas Centre on Thursday, June 20 from 7 to 9 p.m.
“They are really helping us out a lot with that one, and members of our community will be there to support them.”
Pride Week wraps up with a ‘Pride Snow Cones’ will be available at Meok Ja on June 21.
A family barbecue and games will be held at River Park on June 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., to wrap up the celebrations.
Nationally, June is Pride Month, when the world’s 2SLGBTQI+ communities and allies come together and celebrate the freedom to be themselves. Pride gatherings are rooted in the arduous history of minority groups who have struggled for decades to overcome prejudice and be accepted for who they are. Pride Week is one way to show respect for these minorities.
