Folks from across Prince Edward Island came to Charlottetown, July 16 – 24, to celebrate Pride PEI. It was a colorful celebration of LGBTQ+ community. The oceanside city hosted the eight-day event, showcasing LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion of the island community. It was a wonderful to see people from across many different communities come together.

It was a hot, sunny weekend, with clear blue skies. The entire city being beautifully decorated with Pride flags for the celebration. It was a wonderful weekend filled with laugher, celebration, connections, new friendships, and fun.

For 2022, Pride PEI focused on inclusive activities and events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, and activism for the trans community.

Many local businesses decorated their windows, hosted events of their own, and offered special promotions during Pride PEI. The city’s Pride crosswalk was freshly repainted in time for the festivities.

Here a look at look at some of the highlights from Pride PEI 2022

Pride Parade

Pride Parade – Since 1994, Prince Edward Island’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community has marched in the streets of Charlottetown, coming together as a collective voice with our allies to demonstrate support for 2SLGBTQIA+ equality and equity.

The PEI Pride parade took place on Saturday, July 23. The streets of Charlottetown were a sea of rainbows, glitter, and excitement as the Pride PEI parade made its way through the downtown core. The parade stepped off at 12:00pm. This was the first full-scale Pride parade Charlottetown has hosted since the beginning of the pandemic, and it was welcomed by the entire community with open arms.

With soaring temperatures and clear, blue, sunny skies, people lined the streets to watch the colorful parade. The hour-long parade had over 50 entries featuring colorful costumes, floats, community groups, local businesses, sponsors, marching bands, political parties, rights activists, first responders, corporate partners, local organizations, not-for-profit groups, and sports groups all participated in the parade.

Pride flags were waving throughout the streets and people shouted, “Happy Pride!”. The entire city was a buzz of excitement. The smiles on people’s faces were a clear sign that Pride is welcome in Halifax, as people came out to support and celebrate Pride.

The Haus of Zhoosh Presents: Lip Service

On Friday, July 22, the official drag show put on by the Haus of Zhoosh featuring all Island drag kings and queens.Demona Deville, DASHA, Dorian Gay, No-Dee, and Tori Nylo performed multiple sets throughout the evening for a full house.

Demona Deville kicked off the evening with her trademark over-the-top performance that had everyone in stitches. She left guys all wanting more after her first song. Dorian Gay brought out his signature energy, followed by No-Dee’s sultry voice and then Tori Nylon who showed everyone how it’s done with an amazing lip sync routine that had everyone on their feet dancing along with him.

Proceeds of 50/50 draw went directly to Pride PEI.

Pride in the Park

The temperatures soared during the pride parade, and Pride organizers quickly realized that the heatwave would present health and safety issues for attendees. Quick and important decisions were made to relocate the Pride in the Park festival event to the air-conditioned Delta Prince Edward ballroom. The relocation was gladly welcomed by all attendees.

The Pride in the Park included drag performances, a dog show, and a vendor market. It was a fun afternoon for the community to come together and enjoy the many creative talents of the PEI LGBTQ+ community.

Pride After Dark

Pride After Dark – The official pride after-party returns to the Delta Prince Edward on Saturday, July 23 from 9:00pm to 2:00am. The night of Pride was a much anticipated one for the PEI LGBTQ+ community, as they came together to dance, reconnect, and meet new people.

The event featured a spectacular lineup of local talent, including Joce Reyome, Charlottetown Burlesque, Jade Robinson, Haus of Zhoosh, & DJ Jane Blaze.

It was an evening that brought everyone together in celebration of love and acceptance – but it also served as a reminder that every day is a chance to make more of these connections.

Come Through Mama – Drag Brunch

Come close out the 2022 Festival with a bang and get your brunch on. Show is hosted by local Drag Queen, Demona Deville, with performances by the original Island Queen herself, Amber Flames, and PEI’s very own resident King, Dorian Gay.

The mimosas were flowing, and a fabulous brunch was served, while the drag performers served on stage. It was an amazing all-ages, family-friendly drag event. Proceeds of 50/50 draw went directly to Pride PEI.

Drag Queens Out to SEA

On Sunday, July 24, Demona Deville of the Haus of Zooch and Captain Neil took a group of fellow Pride members on PEI Pride’s first ever seal watching tour. The two-hour activity took the group to Governor’s Island observation point to view seals, eagles, and other marine birds.

On board they were treated to an informative tour by Captain Neil highlighting interesting facts about their surroundings.

The President of Pride PEI was also on board as a special guest providing insights on their initiatives as well as the newly created PEI Trans Network.

Plan to Attend Pride PEI 2023

Fun, laugher, diversity and inclusion, visibility, trans rights, and expressions of love and togetherness are all feelings and emotions that can be felt at Pride PEI. It’s time to put Pride PEI on your bucket list of Pride events to attend in 2023.

It’s the perfect way to celebrate all that makes us proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community, from friends and family to expressions of love and togetherness. In addition to being a fabulous Pride event, it’s also one more reason to plan a trip to Atlantic Canada.

View more photos from Pride PEI

Visit Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is home to exquisite cuisine, diverse culture and natural scenic beauty, the Island offers something for everyone, from an Island escape to endless opportunities. Here, you’ll find eclectic artisanal, craft and antique shops, thriving organic farms, rustic and exclusive inns and cottages, and a host of other authentic hyper-local Island experiences. Start planning your trip today with Tourism PEI.