MEDIA RELEASE: 2018 Festival Launch

2018 Halifax Pride Festival Begins Today

K’jipuktuk (Halifax, N.S.) - Thursday, July 19 marks the official start to the Halifax Pride Festival, with events running July 19-29.

“We’re so excited to finally start the festival after months of preparation,” says Morgan Manzer, chair of the Halifax Pride board of directors. “For the past few years, we’ve concentrated on making this festival among the most accessible and community-focused in the country.”

That community focus can be found in Halifax Pride’s 2018 theme . This year’s festival emphasizes the message that pride is “Because of you” through photographs of members of Halifax’s 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Featured in among the festival guide and posters are several photos from The Magic Project’s Queer People are Magic: Pride Edition. Like their other art initiatives, the photoshoot captures empowerment and connects communities.

The Magic Project’s work using art and photography to create solidarity, and celebrate diverse identities, has made Halifax Pride’s “Because of you” campaign possible. “It is through the work of the community that pride happens every year,” says Adam Reid, executive director. “We strive to build a festival where our community can come together to celebrate, commemorate, and advocate.”

Some of the 2018 festival’s new events include the opening night Halifax Pride Comedy Show, The Katchup brunch on the Garrison Grounds, and a Humans vs. Zombies game for youth. The Dykes vs. Divas Softball Game, Garrison Grounds Mainstage Show, Evening Speaker Series, Queer Perspective Panels, and an expanded Gottingen Block Party are all returning to the festival. For a full line up of events, visits www.halifaxpride.com/schedule.

The Halifax Pride Parade will march on July 21 at 1 p.m.

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Media Contact:
Nick Voutour
nick@halifaxpride.com

Register for the Halifax Pride Parade

PARADE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

The Halifax Pride Parade takes place Saturday, July 21, 2018 starting at 1:00 pm in downtown Halifax. If you want to be part of the excitement, share in the spirit of Halifax Pride, and support the 2SLGBTQ+ community, be sure to register for this incredible event. The parade route can be found HERE.

Steps to registration: 

Deadline to apply is July 18th, but don't delay! Halifax Pride encourages participation by groups that desire to support their community and share the principal ideals of Halifax Pride: pride, inclusion, respect and diversity in all forms. 

The Halifax Pride Society works hard to ensure community members and organizations are the focus of our parade and festival. 2SLGBTQ+ community/ not-for-profit organizations are exempt from registration fees and given priority placement in the parade. 

PARADE QUESTIONS?

Email David at parade@halifaxpride.com

Volunteer at the Halifax Pride Festival

Become a Halifax Pride Volunteer!

In 2017, more than 100 community members and allies joined us to host events, greet thousands of guests and coordinate one of the premier pride festivals in Canada. Now it's your chance to help us Make Pride Happen!

By volunteering with Halifax Pride, you become part of a team dedicated to celebrating and commemorating Nova Scotia's 2SLGBTQ+ history and culture. Whether your reason for volunteering is to learn more about our vibrant community or complete volunteer hours, there are many opportunities to explore.

Halifax Pride has open roles whether you're interested in volunteering year-round or just for a few hours during the Parade. Sign up to volunteer here!

FESTIVAL/EVENT VOLUNTEERS

Festival and Event Volunteers work alongside Team Leads to help set-up and run the events and initiatives that make Halifax Pride a fabulous event. Whether you are hoping to assemble stages, direct floats, or greet our guests, there's a spot for you. Festival/Event Volunteers will sign-up to volunteer for a few hours at an event or during the festival. No experience is necessary, but a short training session in the weeks before the festival is required.

This year, we're looking for volunteers in the following areas:

  • Parade Set-up/Clean-up Support
  • Parade Marshals
  • Community Market Assistants
  • Support for various events
  • Set-up/Clean-up for various events
  • Accessible Viewing Area Assistants
  • Volunteer HQ Assistants

Click HERE to complete a volunteer sign up form and Halifax Pride will contact you with further information. 

 

Halifax Pride launches 2018 theme and event announcements

For immediate release:
Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Halifax, N.S. (K’jipuktuk) - The Halifax Pride Society has revealed that the 2018 Halifax Pride Festival will be themed “Because of you.” The new theme is a change from and answer to 2016 and 2017’s theme “This is why.”

“We’ve used themes for several years to strike certain tones during our festival,” says Morgan Manzer, chair. “It ties together our messaging and hopefully ties community members together in reflection and shared experience.”

The theme speaks to 2018’s marketing materials which feature creative displays of local community members at past Prides or other 2SLGBTQ+ events. The images of these community members will be prominently used on the Pride Guide, advertisements, and online channels leading up to the festival.

“We wanted to celebrate our local community and show the public what Pride is about,” says Adam Reid, executive director. “Pride happens for and by the community, and without the individuals you see in those photos, and many others like them, Pride would not be what it is today.”

Along with the theme, Halifax Pride will launch their 2018 marketing materials on their website and social media channels. Details about programming, speakers, performers, and panelists will trickle out to the public over the next 10 days, with physical copies of the Pride Guide released at the OUTBid Auction on June 16th at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel. An online schedule of events will then go live at HalifaxPride.com on June 17th.

At the OUTBid Auction, Halifax Pride will also announce one of the festival’s most honoured designations, the Parade Ambassadors. Each year, the Halifax Pride Society honours individuals or groups with this special designation in recognition and celebration of the positive impact they have made on the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

The Halifax Pride OUTBid Auction takes place at the Marriott Harbourfront on June 16. The Halifax Pride Festival runs from July 19-29, 2018.

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Media Contact: Nick Voutour
nick@halifaxpride.com

 

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