Festival Kick Off
Flag Raising, Speeches, and Solidarity Walk
Sat, October 4th, 2025
Time: 11 AM - 2 PM
11 AM - Snacks and poster-making
12 PM - 1 PM: Speeches and Flag Raising
1:15 PM - 1:45 PM: Solidarity Walk + Group Photo
Presented by: Canmore Pride
Supported by: Family & Community Support Services/Family Connection Centre (Town of Canmore), Explore Counselling and Art Therapy
Join us as we kick off the Canmore Pride Festival with a warm and welcoming community event!
From 11 AM - 12 PM, join us for some light snacks and poster-making. We’ll have a poster-making station set-up, so you can make your own poster to hold proudly during the Solidarity Walk. Don’t forget to grab your Canmore Pride merch as well!
At noon, we'll gather in front of the Civic Centre to raise the Pride Progress flag, a symbol of our shared commitment to celebrating and supporting our 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The flag will fly all week, marking the beginning of a festival filled with love, inclusivity, and connection. This event is all about coming together—neighbors, friends, and allies—to reflect on the importance of Pride in our town. We’ll hear from local voices who will share their thoughts on what this week means for Canmore. It’s a special moment to celebrate our diversity and show that Canmore is a place where everyone belongs.
Following the speeches, we will have a group Solidarity Walk, honoring our 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Canmore Pride has chosen to host a Solidarity Walk instead of a traditional parade, as a symbol of resistance and unity, honoring those who have fought tirelessly for the rights we continue to defend today. By walking together, we show that our community stands strong against any attempts to silence or divide us.
As we begin our walk, we invite those who may move at a slower pace—families with young children or strollers, elders, and those with disabilities—to lead the way. The rest of us will follow, supporting you as we move forward together in solidarity.
Even as we celebrate our victories, we must remember that certain members of our community still face heightened risks—Queer People of Colour, particularly Trans women of color, continue to experience violence at alarming rates, and disabled individuals are often excluded due to inaccessibility. This walk is a chance to acknowledge these ongoing struggles while affirming our commitment to inclusivity, support, and progress for all.
We invite all community members including allies, business-owners, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people of all ages to join us for this important event.
Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided. Come alone or come with a friend!
Solidarity Walk Route:
Accessibility: This event will be held outdoors, rain or shine. Please make sure to wear appropriate clothing. The event will involve standing with some chairs available for those who cannot stand for long periods of time. The space is wheelchair accessible.
The route has specifically been chosen with accessibility in mind, and the entire route for the Solidarity Walk is wheelchair accessible. The route does involve a mixture of going through the Civic Centre and outdoor walkways/roads. There will be volunteer marshalls on-site who will be managing foot traffic while providing assistance to anyone who may need the extra support.
Volunteers will be wearing volunteer lanyards.
Please note this event will be photographed. If you wish to not be in any photos, please notify a volunteer at the event.
Closest bus stop is: 9th st Canmore, behind Arts Place. It is 120 metres from the Civic Centre.
Washrooms: Washrooms are wheelchair accessible but are gendered. The washrooms are located inside of the Canmore Civic Centre.
Getting Here: The Canmore Civic Centre is close to the Roam transit bus stops. There is also paid street parking available nearby. We encourage you to walk/bike/roll if possible to the event.
No registration is required. This event is suitable for all ages!
Questions? Please email Mich at community@canmorepride.ca a minimum of 48 hours before the event.