Gay Vancouver, Pride 2011

As the clock strikes 6 on this gorgeous, sunny, Vancouver July evening, there is excitement in the air as we gaze out our windows overlooking the preparations for the Davie Street Party, a major highlight kicking off the final weekend of Vancouver Pride 2011 celebrations. Three city blocks in the heart of Davie Village are cordoned off, several stages and numerous DJ's are busy setting up, bartenders are popping up beverage stations up and down the street, food vendors are prepping their kiosks, the many bars and outdoor patios in Davie Village are packed, the Sandman Suites have unfurled rainbow flags from their balconies and no doubt many more are at home staking out their plans for the action-packed festivities ahead.

In reality, there have been Pride events going on for over a month now, but this coming weekend is the grand finale, so to speak, and includes the 33rd annual Pride Parade and Festival, taking place on Sunday, July 31. Estimates for attendance at last year's event were quoted at 650,000, so it is definitely a crowd pleaser. Get down to the parade route early on Sunday to ensure the best viewing spots; complete details on the parade and other official Pride events can be accessed via links on our Pride page: http://www.gayvan.com/whats-on2/pride.html .

A multitude of other events are going on this year at the same time, including the North America Outgames and Human Rights Conference, which have brought additional people from across the continent and from other countries around the world to play, compete and celebrate at this exciting time in our city. We had the pleasure of attending the official Pride Launch and running of the Outgames Flag at City Hall on July 25, followed by the official Outgames Opening Ceremony at the Vancouver Art Gallery, several sporting events and receptions around the city, cocktails with some of Japan's Men's Soccer team yesterday evening, and look forward to attending the Closing Ceremony and Party at the Plaza of Nations on Saturday, July 30. Another highlight topping off this colourful sporting event will be the March of the Athletes, which will lead off the start of the 33rd annual Vancouver Pride Parade on Sunday, July 31. What week!

So many other events are also taking place this week that we had to add a second page to our Gay Special Events page, to make room for everything from the Queer Arts Festival, the Q Ball at the Sheraton Wall Centre, Rapture Heatwave Pool Party at the Westin Grand, Sweet Fridays by Flygirl at Canvas Lounge, Celebrities Pride Ball, New Patio special events at 1181, Tom of Finland Party for Vancouver Men in Leather at Numbers, Hot & Wet Women's Pride Cruise by Crema Productions, Bearracuda at 560, Thickset at the Cobalt, Rapture at the Commodore Ballroom, Social Sundays at Oasis, Chicks Ahoy Cruise, Chicas at the Queen Elizabeth, CruiseyT's Pride GoGo Cruise, White Party Cruise, Pride Party Cruise, Hershe Bar and more. Check out all the action: http://www.gayvan.com/whats-on2/gay-special-events1.html .

Happy Pride Vancouver!!!