By Times Chronicle Staff
The annual Pride Arts Festival is returning to Osoyoos on Saturday, Sept. 7 with this year’s festival continuing to offer a dynamic blend of performances, local beer & wine garden, a variety of food vendors, and a bustling artisan market, all designed to create an inclusive and festive atmosphere.
The Pride Arts Festival shines a spotlight on the extraordinary talents of Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) and 2SLGBTQIA+ creatives and is organized by partners the South Okanagan Similkameen Pride Society (SOS Pride) and Wide Arts National Association (WANA).
The Pride Arts Festival has been able to return and grow each year since it began in 2022 with support from a Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) grant from the Town of Osoyoos. The event is free to the general public and intended for all ages.
The two organizers note that the festival was created through a “partnership that began from a love of community, connection and celebration of art to support those who often don’t receive the same opportunities to headline and perform at community festivals.”
Attendees can look forward to a day of inspiration, connection, and joy featuring a vibrant lineup of performances, including music, dance, comedy, and more that reflect the rich tapestry of local communities. Each act has been carefully curated to ensure a dynamic and inclusive experience for all festival-goers.
“We are dedicated to creating a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and celebrated,” said Artist Coordinator, Keisha McLean. “Our goal is to showcase the incredible contributions of BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ artists, and to provide a platform where their voices and stories can resonate with audiences.”
The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7. For more information about the festival, including the full lineup of performers visit pridearts.ca or follow Pride Arts Festival on social media.
