Surrey Pride set to roll as organizers shake off vandalism
Surrey will be hosting its 27th-annual pride festival on June 20 in Central City Plaza.
The day kicks off at noon and attendees can expect to see drag performances, DJ sets and other local artists.
The free event will also host artisan vendors and a kids fun zone with activities. Surrey Pride’s website includes a proclamation from the city about Pride month, the list of sponsors as well as the day’s full schedule.
The event is party of a community-wide celebration of Pride, which include Surrey Schools holding a poster contest that included more than 100 entries from elementary and secondary students (see two samples pictured above).
Previous Surrey Pride festivals have drawn crowds of over 3,000 attendees.
Stephen Scaccia, a vocalist from Burnaby, will be performing alongside a seven-piece band. Scaccia began his career by posting covers to YouTube and describes his music as taking root in R&B, soul pop and jazz. He’s looking forward “to celebrat[ing] love and chosen family. I’m really excited because at pride events, music becomes more than just entertainment. It becomes a shared celebration where people can sing and dance and feel safe and feel seen.”
Scaccia plans to perform music by queer artists and queer anthems, with songs by Queen, Elton John and Chappell Roan, to name a few. He felt grateful that the city was allowing himself and others a platform to promote joy, especially given that the festival is happening only a few weeks after a rainbow crosswalk near Holland Park was vandalized — Surrey Police have since arrested one man.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Surrey Pride wrote it “stands firmly with our community following the hateful vandalism of the Surrey Central rainbow crosswalk.”
“While this act was intended to divide and intimidate, it has instead reminded us of the strength of our community.”
Scaccia emphasized the importance of local pride festivals for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to see they are not alone and that a community exists in their hometown.
“Pride is vitally important. Visibility still matters, and celebration still matters. Celebration of how far we’ve come, but also how far we still need to go.”
Surrey residents of all ages can also look forward to other pride events being hosted throughout the month like scavenger hunts, book clubs and movie nights. More information can be found on the city’s website.
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