The Okanagan Pride Committee is excited to announce that Okanagan Pride is taking place August 12 through 19, 2012. This year’s festival with its theme of “Celebrating Diversity!” will be held over eight days with events including a spiritual gathering, movie screening of cult classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show”, concert featuring renowned singer and songwriter Amy Bishop (www.amybishopmusic.com), golf tournament, beach volleyball, community barbeque, Pride dance, and champagne brunch. Several of these events are free to attend, everyone is welcome, and many are family friendly.

Local businesses in the community have rallied around this year’s Okanagan Pride. In its sixth year, this summer’s extravaganza promises to be a best-yet Okanagan Pride with growing support at the business sponsorship level and an increasing repute as a true destination Pride event. Lead partners of the festival include TD Bank Group, Xtra!, LeVeL Night Club, Astral Media, The Coast Capri Hotel, Manteo Resort, Clarance House Bed & Breakfast, Plus 141 Communications, RE/MAX Kelowna and Justworks Technology.

“We are extremely pleased with the level of engagement and support that Kelowna businesses and our media sponsors have shown to Okanagan Pride this year,” says Raymond Koehler, Chair of the Okanagan Pride Festival Committee. “The business and media community in Kelowna has rallied around Pride and brought a momentum and energy to the festival that is tangible. As we promote Okanagan Pride to residents and visitors, this energy is sure to translate into growing attendance levels, a positive impact on the local economy by a sought-after demographic, and most-importantly, a highlight of the summer for many, many people.”

The Okanagan Pride Committee is thrilled that Mayor Walter Gray has proclaimed August 12 – 19, 2012 as Pride Week in Kelowna. “This proclamation will be met with great enthusiasm and support in the local Queer Community, signaling that Kelowna is an inclusive, diverse and welcoming city for everyone,” says Koehler. “We welcome the continued commitment of The City of Kelowna to embrace Okanagan Pride, testament to the municipality’s belief that that everyone should enjoy the same rights, responsibilities and protections as all British Columbians and Canadians, as they contribute together to the social, cultural and economic betterment and well-being of the city, and that equality matters.”

The Pride flag with its rainbow colors designed to symbolize life, healing, sunlight, nature, harmony and spirit will be flown over Kelowna’s City Hall August 13 – 20 in honour of Okanagan Pride.

About Okanagan Pride

Okanagan Pride, hosted and organized by dozens of community volunteers, working together under the umbrella of Okanagan Rainbow Coalition, is in its sixth year and continues to see growing support from the community in terms of partnership and event attendance. Visit us at www.gayokanagan.com/pride for sponsorship and volunteer oppportunities, updates and news.

About Okanagan Rainbow Coalition

Okanagan Rainbow Coalition is a Kelowna based non-profit society with a mission to provide a non-judgmental community focused on integrity, empathy and compassion for those who are in need, and tolerance for those who do not understand the diversity of the community. Their mission also includes creating a supportive environment and providing resources for the central Okanagan’s Queer Communities.