Kelowna, British Columbia – Monday, the Western Economic Diversification Canada announced up to $100,000 in funding for Kelowna Pride Society through the Canadian Experiences Fund.
See full official Government of Canada release here.
Blake Edwards, Co-President of the Kelowna Pride Society, announced on Wednesday that the funding would be used towards the Kelowna Pride Festival and a new event called Out in the Valley.
“We had over 12,000 in attendance at this years Kelowna Pride Festival, we were featured across Canada, the US and the UK as being the Pride event to watch, and now we are ready to take our organization to the next level with the help of these funds. in partnership with BC Wine, Ciders and Spirits Festival, we will be launching Kelowna's newest, queerest wine festival - OUT in the Valley. This event will encourage tourism and help make Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley a LGBT2Q+ friendly destination.”
Mayor Colin Basran spoke to the inclusive and diverse community:
"We will be using some of these funds to continue to promote our city as an inclusive, diverse community where people can be who they were born to be."
Mayor Colin Basran
President & CEO of Tourism Kelowna, Lisanne Ballantyne was excited about the funds in promoting new opportunities for tourism in the Okanagan.
"We now have some signature events coming, and additional training in the Tourism Industry as well, it is so very welcome and it will definitely have impact on the destination."
Save the Date:
Out in the Valley: November 22-24, 2019
Kelowna Pride Festival: June 14-20, 2020
Kelowna Pride Society is a non-profit organization that creates opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate and connect people, respecting the full diversity of the LGBT2Q+ community in Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley region. KPS hosts the popular annual Kelowna Pride Festival (formerly the Okanagan Pride Festival) which draws visitors from throughout the Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada, and the United States.
The Kelowna Pride Society respectfully acknowledges that they operate on the unceded, traditional territory of the Syilx-Okanagan people.
MORE INFORMATION:
Blake Edwards, Co-President
250.575.2523