Pride Winnipeg

2019

Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1118647

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02 | Pride MAY 24 – JUNE 2 iven the rate at which Pride Winnipeg has grown over the last decade, it's no surprise festi- val organizers have had to broaden their horizons to accommodate an ever-expand- ing, increasingly diverse audience. And while recent years have brought about stepped-up efforts to make the event as in- clusive as possible — in particular for mar- ginalized communities who don't always see themselves represented in the Pride rainbow — there's also a stronger focus this year on a slightly different demographic. As festival director David Dooley explains, young children (and their caregivers) are a top priority for Pride planners, who've become in- creasingly committed to ensuring the festival of- fers amenities and attractions for all ages. While in the past, both Pride and its many spinoff events may have skewed a bit more "adult," families with children now make up a growing percentage of the estimated 40,000 to 50,000 people who attend the Festival at e Forks site each year. "Expanding the kids' area has always been a goal of mine," says Dooley, who's responsible for Pride's closing weekend at the festival grounds, in conjunction with Pride Winnipeg's 100-per- cent volunteer board of directors. "As kids and youth are the future of our or- ganization, I think it's important to include them … Kids at a young age are very impressionable, and I think by attending Pride, parents teach their children the importance of acceptance, and the freedom to be who they are. is is definitely something they'll carry through their lives and into adulthood." To ensure pint-sized visitors have a positive experience at Pride, the Winnipeg Blue Bomb- ers KidZone has been significantly expanded — having grown from an inflatable obstacle course to a much larger section of the festival site, com- plete with a mobile gym structure, picnic area with concessions, and a second stage showcasing family-friendly performers such as francophone fave Madame Diva from noon to 5 p.m. ere will be a host of activities — everything from birdhouse building to fire safety demos to football toss games with the Bombers — to keep children of all ages busy. And kids aren't the only ones who'll benefit from enhancements and upgrades at this year's festival. Efforts have also been made to ensure the entire site is as accessible as possible. As in previous years, Pride provides ASL ser- vices at all events — including the pre-parade Focus on Inclusion FESTIVAL AT THE FORKS PROVIDES ACCESSIBLE FUN FOR ALL AGES PRIDE WINNIPEG VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS DAVID DOOLEY (LEFT) AND TAMMY HENWOOD. PHOTO BY ALLY GONZALO

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