WATCH ABOVE: The Pride Parade was held Saturday morning. Thousands showed up, decked out in their most vibrant colours, ready to show just how much pride exists in Edmonton.
EDMONTON – Thousands of brightly-dressed people lined the streets in Old Strathcona Saturday morning for the 35th Pride Parade, kicking off the 10-day Edmonton Pride Festival.
With a colourful feather boa around her neck, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley led the parade down Whyte Avenue, a new location for the yearly event, which showcases the unity and diversity of the LGBTQ community and its allies.
The parade started at 108 Street and danced its way down Whyte Avenue to 104 Street where it turned north to finish at End of Steel Park. The change in location was made to help accommodate the ever-growing parade.
Edmonton’s first Pride celebration took place in 1980 with just 75 people in attendance.
READ MORE: LGBTQ community to mark 35 years of Edmonton Pride with history project
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Ben Scrivens and his wife Jenny marched in the parade, dressed in Oilers jerseys. Politicians from all levels of government were also on hand, including Mayor Don Iveson and federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, who is in Edmonton for Federation of Canadian Municipalities meetings.
The Edmonton Police Service, Alberta RCMP, Edmonton Fire Rescue and the Canadian Armed Forces also had members on hand to show their pride.
Thousands of people took to Twitter to share the celebration Saturday, some of the most vibrant tweets are posted below:
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