It was a day to get loud and to be proud. Thousands of people hit the streets for Saskatoon’s 17th annual Pride Parade on Saturday.
The crowd was electric, with waving flags, music and drums. Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark was right in the thick of things.
“I am so heartened to see just how many sectors of society are now coming together to say ‘this is who we are.’” Clark said. “We’re not just making a statement to our own citizens. We’re making a statement to the world that this is how Saskatoon is. We’re forward thinking, we’re inclusive, we know that diversity is our strength.”
This is the first time the mayor has marched as the Grand Marshal of the parade.
“The acceptance of the city, especially now to have our civic leaders acceptance and visible presence all of our events, the city is growing and thriving,” said Krystal Nieckar, co-chair of the Saskatoon Pride Festival.
Rainbows draped the downtown streets, where around 500 members from Saskatoon Public Schools joined in the festivities.
“We need to connect with all students at a level that tells us we are able to understand them personally, who they are as individuals,” said Charlene Scrimshaw, superintendent of education. “That way we can program for them appropriately.”
This year’s Pride Parade was the biggest yet, with more than 100 registered floats and around 5,000 people marching.
“It’s a time to be yourself,” said Chelsea Cheney, who was at the parade. “Be who you are, and be loud and proud about it, right?”
Based on a report by CTV Saskatoon's Mark Villani
