Paws & Pride: New Westminster's Vibrant Celebration of Love & Diversity

The celebration was New Westminster's own Pride Week, culminating with the Columbia Street downtown festival on Saturday, August 17th. The festivities included a fun pie-making contest at the local farmers market, where participants showcased their baking talents with pies as diverse and creative as the city itself. The competition was fierce, but the sense of unity and joy was the real winner, bringing together residents from all walks of life to share in the celebration.

As the week progressed, the energy continued to build with a special Pride-themed edition of Fridays on Front Street. The popular weekly event was transformed into a rainbow-filled party, featuring live music, drag queens on stilts, and an array of vendors offering everything from Pride merchandise to delicious treats. The atmosphere was electric, with the streets packed with people proudly displaying their support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Saturday marked the official Columbia Street Pride Festival, beginning with the much-anticipated Pride Pet Parade. Pets and their owners dressed in their finest rainbow attire paraded down the streets, spreading smiles and laughter. The parade was a hit and set the tone for a day full of festivities, including live performances, food trucks, and community booths.

The week’s celebrations were opened by a powerful message of unity and equality. At the pride flag-raising ceremony at Douglas College, Mayor Patrick Johnstone emphasized the importance of standing together in the fight for equal rights. “The inclusive pride flag reminds us that until we all have rights, none of our rights are safe,” he stated, reflecting the spirit of Pride Week in New Westminster—a celebration of love, acceptance, and the ongoing pursuit of equality for all.