More than 50 people gathered in Princeton Saturday, June 1 for the community’s first official Pride event.
The get-together was held on a private residential property, and was sponsored by South Okanagan Similkameen Pride.
Birch Parlee, who helped organize the event with her wife Saskia Roland, said the day was a complete success.
“In the end we were really blown away. The vibe was amazing. It was a really beautiful time. There were a lot really nice conversations.”
Parlee said in past years there was a desire to hold a local event for Pride month, “but people were afraid.”
She noted that probably three-quarters of the attendees were members of the queer community, and the balance were people who identify as allies.
Roland originally suggested the idea of a quiet potluck, and then SOS Pride stepped up and paid for the affair to be catered, and brought in tents and other necessities.
The group also had Pride swag for sale such as buttons, flags and rainbow sunglasses.
“They apparently sold a tonne of merchandise fundraising for the SOS Pride society.”
Parlee and Roland hope a Pride celebration is repeated next year.
“The general consensus is let’s make this an annual event.”
