With June on the horizon, there’s no shortage of events planned across the South Okanagan and Similkameen (SOS) in celebration of Pride Month.
The party kicks off June 1 in Princeton, when members of the SOS Pride Society host a picnic event, with food and live music at Birch and Saskia’s, located at 150 Hidden Valley Road.
Festivities come to Penticton starting June 2, as organizers gear up to bring back the popular “Walkin’ & Rollin’ Pride” event. Participants will gather at the S.S. Sicamous at 1 p.m., before walking, rolling, skating boarding, or riding down Lakeshore Drive and toward the city’s outdoor rink on Martin Street.
Stickers and flags will be handed out for people to carry, and glitter stations will also be set up along the downtown route, SOS Pride said.
“Some thoughtful words will be spoken and then we will walk, roll and skate down the boardwalk to some blasting tunes and arrive at the Activate Penticton outdoor rink for a roller skate & dance party in partnership with Penticton Roller Skate,” event organizers said.
Leaders from SOS Pride Society will then head north up Highway 97 on Saturday, June 8, where they will set up a South Okanagan and Similkameen-based booth at the Kelowna Pride Festival.
The conversation comes to Summerland one day later, with SOS Pride inviting the community to the district’s museum at 9521 Wharton Street.
Stories will be shared on the front lawn by 2SLGBTQIA+ community members living in Summerland. People are encouraged to bring their own chairs to the event.
Food and drinks will also be provided.
Other Pride Month events across the region have also been confirmed:
• Lesbihonest Comedy at Penticton’s Dream Cafe - Thursday, June 13, 8 to 10:30 p.m.
• Pride in the Vines at Okanagan Falls’ See Ya Later Ranch - Saturday, June 15, 2 to 5 p.m.
• Silent Disco Pride Dance at Oliver Wine Village - Saturday, June 29, 8 to 10 p.m.
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