With Creston celebrating its centennial this year, 2024 is a fitting time to make history. 

OUTspoken, the local 2SLGBTQ+ community, plans to host the town香蕉视频直播檚 first Pride festival on the last weekend of June.

Since forming in 2017, this is a huge milestone for the group. Along the way, OUTspoken hasn香蕉视频直播檛 always been met with acceptance. From public harassment to online vitriol, Creston香蕉视频直播檚 2SLGBTQ+  have struggled to feel safe in their own hometown. But now thanks to an outpouring of support, OUTspoken has gained momentum with a committee 22-members strong. 

It began in October last year during the SOGI protests, when some members realized how much their presence was needed. 

香蕉视频直播淭he difference is the love this time, the hate has always been there,香蕉视频直播� said Nikolas, co-ordinator for OUTspoken. 香蕉视频直播淲e've had so many people come up to us and say, 香蕉视频直播楾hat is not the Creston that I want to live in.香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈��

The Advance has chosen to withhold the co-ordinators' last names.
 
Over the last six months of planning the festival, OUTspoken has worked towards visibility around town with a Pride flag at town hall and a regular booth at the Creston Valley Farmers香蕉视频直播� Market.

香蕉视频直播淢y goal is to show other people in this community that they香蕉视频直播檙e not alone,香蕉视频直播� said Sara, also a co-ordinator for OUTspoken. 香蕉视频直播淲e want to highlight and celebrate what we've achieved so far and what our community is all about.香蕉视频直播�

The hate-fuelled, hurtful comments their members have received over the last seven years have been 香蕉视频直播渦nsettling and scarring,香蕉视频直播� causing OUTspoken to go quiet at times. 

香蕉视频直播淭hat's why we're holding Pride Fest, because it's not about hiding,香蕉视频直播� said Sara. 香蕉视频直播淚t's time for us to be loud and be proud. I want to be happy about who I am in my community 香蕉视频直播� a community that is proving to be more inclusive, more open, and understanding.香蕉视频直播�

The festival will be held on June 29, the day after the Stonewall riots of 1969 in New York City, in solidarity and remembrance.

The event will be hosted at Mountain Park Resort starting with a market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with vendors coming from as far as Vancouver and Kelowna. In the afternoon, anyone is welcome to join the talent show from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The celebration will continue into the evening with music, special guest performers, dancing, and games from 8 to 10:30 p.m. 

It is all thanks to the work of volunteers and crowdfunding. 

香蕉视频直播淲e have an incredible committee of people who have given their heart and soul,香蕉视频直播� said Sara. 香蕉视频直播淚 am incredibly excited to be able to provide a place where we can feel safe, where we can have a fun atmosphere, where we can enjoy ourselves and celebrate our history.香蕉视频直播�

Another big motivation for hosting the festival is to bring tourism dollars into the Creston Valley, especially during a year when the local orchards are struggling due to unusual weather. 

香蕉视频直播淐ommunity growth is a big part of it,香蕉视频直播� said Nikolas. 香蕉视频直播淲e can help with that. Every person who comes for Pride Fest also needs to eat meals or stay the night. That's something that could be a regular thing, bringing people to town for entertainment.香蕉视频直播�

Volunteers and donations for festival support or prizes are still needed. To help, get in touch through the OUTspoken Facebook page or at outspoken-creston@hotmail.com.