Surrey Pride festival was back for its 26th year in Civic Plaza on Saturday, June 28.
The free, family-friendly event took place from noon to 7 p.m. at Civic Plaza, with vendors, speeches, drag shows, dance and good vibes on the plaza outside Surrey City Hall.
"We are here to uplift our community, to celebrate our diversity and to remind everyone that pride doesn't end after today, it continues every day in our homes, workplaces, schools and out on the streets," said Jasmine Broeder, Surrey Pride president. "Let's make this a day of love, laughter, music and unity."
Surrey's Mayor Brenda Locke said today is not just a celebration but a remembrance of those who have gone before.
"I am so very, very happy to be here. Surrey is so very happy to continue to uplift everyone in our city. The city of Surrey is a place where every single person matters," Locke said. "So it's events like this that really showcase that we are open for everyone. We want you all to succeed.
"Have fun, be a part of our really great, dynamic and diverse city. You are important to us. You are all the heartbeat of this amazing celebration we're having today."
"In a world that right now is full of instability. It's full of hatred, it's full of lots and lots of concerns. It's full of confusion. I want you all to remember that what you are doing today is sharing love, and love will always, always conquer it all," Locke said.
Along with Locke, city councillors Pardeep Kooner and Doug Elford, MLAs Garry Begg and Jessie Sunner, former MLA and MP Penny Priddy, and current MPs Sukh Dhaliwal, Ernie Klassen, Jill McKnight and Gurbux Saini also attending the opening ceremony celebrations.
The City of Surrey raised the Pride flag in celebration of the 2SLGBTQ+ community for the third consecutive year on June 27.
Earlier in the month, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke declared June as “2SLGBTQ+ (Rainbow Community) Pride Month."
