City services to show their Capital Pride

The City of Ottawa will celebrate the 30

th

anniversary of Pride with a rainbow flag raising at various city locations on Monday, August 17.

This week-long event includes flag raisings with Ottawa Police Service, By-law and Regulatory Services, OC Transpo, Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Paramedic Service and Ottawa Public Health. Mayor Jim Watson will conclude the ceremonies at City Hall during the noon hour by raising the Pride flag, and proclaiming Ottawa Capital Pride Festival Week in the city.

Residents are welcome to join in the flag raising celebrations, including a free pancake breakfast hosted by the Ottawa Police Service. ** Ottawa Police Service Pancake Breakfast ** 6 to 10 a.m.

Police Headquarters, 474 Elgin Street

All donations will go to charity. ** By-law and Regulatory Services flag raising ** 10 to 10:45 a.m.

Bylaw Headquarters, 735 Industrial Avenue ** ** ** OC Transpo flag raising (staff event) ** 10 to 10:45 a.m.

OC Transpo Headquarters, 1500 St. Laurent Boulevard ** Ottawa Fire Services flag raising ** 10 to 10:45 a.m.

Fire Headquarters, 1445 Carling Avenue ** Ottawa Paramedic Service flag raising ** 10 to 10:45 a.m.

Paramedic Headquarters, 2465 Don Reid Drive

Reception and tours ** Ottawa Public Health flag raising ** 10 to 10:45 a.m.

 * 
Mary Pitt Centre, 100 Constellation Drive

 * 
Sexual Health Clinic, 179 Clarence Street

** Official proclamation and flag raising ** Noon to 12:15 p.m.

Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Marion Dewar Plaza

Mayor Watson will officially proclaim Ottawa Capital Pride Festival Week in the City of Ottawa.

The highlight of Pride Week is the parade. It will be held on Sunday, August 23, starting at 1 p.m ** . Please note that this year the parade route and Pride event location has changed ** .

The parade will start at the intersection of Bank Street and Gladstone Avenue, travel west on Gladstone Avenue to Kent Street, then north on Kent Street to Laurier Avenue, and east on Laurier Avenue back to Bank Street. The parade’s “big finish” at Bank and Somerset streets will draw it into the heart of Ottawa’s gay village and the location of the festival’s Community Fair.

Several City services will be participating in the parade under a common “Connect With Us” theme. Mayor Watson will ride on the Ottawa Public Health float.

The first gay pride celebration in Ottawa was organized in 1986. Today, Capital Pride attracts over 75,000 festival goers annually, and has become a popular family event.