Queen City Pride celebrates 1st in-person parade since pandemic began

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 protocols, the annualQueen City Pride Paradereturned to Regina this weekend.

Eighty-five groups registered to walk in Saturday's parade, which began at noon.

Queen City Pride co-chairDan Shiersaid after a two-year break, things felta little rusty but the overall feeling was excitement to be back.

"It's really excitingto have a full, super-big street full of people ready for the parade," Shier said as groupsfilled the streets at the starting point on15th Avenue between Rose Street and Broad Street.

"There's probably a few thousand people on the street right now. And yeah, we're just excited to get going."

Having to halt the annual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now being able to bring the parade back,made Saturday's paradeeven more special, he said.

"The pandemic definitely had an impact on everybody, and especially on theLGBTQ community."

Queen City Pride board memberNathan Holten said that even though the organization hadthe green light to hold the parade, there werestill precautions.

"We are providing hand-sanitizing stations all along the routeand we are still encouraging physical distancing," Holten told Saskatchewan Weekend hostShauna Powers in a Saturday interview.

The Pride parade in Reginahas grown to become one of the city'smost colourful and recognized events, andtypically has over 4,000 participants.

The parade moved through the downtown core and ended up at the legislative grounds, where the Out in the Park event offered afull day of activities including live music.

Shier says it's still very important to celebrate Pride everyyear.

"It's still very much a struggle for our community to live their livesin equity andfreedom," he said.

The message of the day for Shier was simple.

"It's always important to celebrate Pride. Happy Pride, Regina."