First came the dykes on bikes.
Then, the official Victoria Pride Parade banner.
And, what followed was a burst of colour, creativity and celebration of Victoria’s LGBTQ community as the 25th Annual Pride Parade weaved its way through downtown streets under sunny, blue skies.
#yyjPRIDE pic.twitter.com/k0dLPFPb8b
— Victoria News (@VictoriaNews) July 8, 2018
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps and Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins joined the fun, cycling and walking with councillors in tow. Even NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh joined the party, greeting Victorians along the parade route, joined by members of his party.
“There’s a certain intimacy in the parade here and a community feel which I really love,” Singh said, noting what he called “the great vibe.”
Of his visit to B.C.’s capital, Singh said he wanted to celebrate how the NDP believes in “fighting for a society where no one is left behind.”
WATCH our coverage of the entire parade on Facebook Live:
Hundreds of floats participated in the hour-long parade – that drew thousands of onlookers – closing out Pride Week in the city. Revellers followed the parade to MacDonald Park in James Bay where the Pride Festival is on until 6 p.m.
CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERY BELOW:
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins walks with councillors Olga Liberchuk and Meagan Brame in the 25th Annual Victoria Pride Parade. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
Saanich councillor Susan Brice waves to the thousands of people gathered downtown for the Victoria Pride Parade. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh joins the Victoria Pride Parade Sunday. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
