2SLGBTQ+ community and allies invited to celebrate Pride on world’s longest skating rink
Ottawa, ON – Today Capital Pride announced its inaugural Ice Parade, taking place during Winterlude as part of Winter Pride events. The Ice Parade, Canada’s first-ever Pride parade on ice, will kick-off at 4 p.m. on the Rideau Canal Skateway near the Laurier Street Bridge on Sunday, February 12, 2023. ending at the Fifth Avenue Rest Area in The Glebe.
The ice-parade will feature live music and DJ set by BLK PRL, local drag performers on skates, and Capital Pride’s 30-foot Progress Pride Flag carried by players from Ottawa Pride Hockey. Festival-goes, Community members and allies are invited to meet at the start of the parade, in skates or on foot, or join in along the route.
“Capital Pride creates opportunities for the community to celebrate and advocate for progress locally and around the world. I can’t think of a more iconic way to bring the community together than on the world’s largest skating rink,” says Toby Whitfield, Capital Pride Executive Director.
“Winterlude is back! From February 3 to 20, get outside and take part in this great Canadian tradition with family and friends. Across Canada’s Capital Region, people can take part in a variety of festivities that give them a chance to celebrate the cultural and artistic diversity, as well as the Indigenous cultures and artists, that make our country so rich. This year, I also invite you to participate in the Winter Pride events organized by Capital Pride, including the first-ever Pride Ice Parade,” says The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage.
In-person programming returns to Winter Pride from February 3 to 20, including outdoor drag shows on Sparks Street, family interactive rainbow ice mosaics, a Queer Black Excellence Showcase, drag storytime and other family programming, a silent disco and a Winter Pride Drag Show. This year’s Winter Pride is presented in partnership with Winterlude.
Capital Pride celebrates the rich and diverse 2SLGBTQ+ community in the National Capital Region. Our mission is to create opportunities to advocate, educate and connect people through programming and events in partnership with our partner community groups, businesses, and sponsors.
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