June is Pride Month, a time to commemorate the tapestry of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the many threads that pull it together.
Three Paul Kane High 2020 graduates are rallying the community to attend the 2nd annual Pride in the Park on Saturday, June 28 at Lions Park.
Organizers Kiera Leung, Sydney Peskett and Maeve Cranna stepped in to replace the St. Albert Pride Festival, which was previously hosted by Outloud St. Albert. The support organization ceased operations in 2024.
“We don’t represent any group. We’re just three community volunteers who stepped up,” said Sydney Peskett. “We’re also major advocates of all people being seen and heard.”
As high school students, the trio was affiliated with Amplify and the fine arts programs it developed. With close ties to many rising performers, the stage is filled with both artists from the queer community as well as Amplify artists.
“We wanted to make space for people not always seen. We hope to make sure there is a continuous space for queer people in our community,” Maeve Cranna said. “The bigger takeaway is developing an open-minded acceptance of people and more acceptance of queer people."
Opening the concert is Ari Zak, St. Albert’s current Poet Laureate who is considered a cultural and literary ambassador. Following her is a set by country singer Keira Myer, a four-time nominee for Country Music Alberta’s Horizon Youth Award.
Savanah Hill drops by with her soulful R&B vocals while Ava Nayana, a multiple award winner at St. Albert Rotary Music Festival, strikes up a chord or two on keyboard while singing pop and original material.
Emmett Michael grabs the crowds with his original folk-roots material. The Leftovers Band throws in a set of alternative folk songs and ph15 brings its original soul vibes.
Adding a dash of spice are the Dragging Youth, a group of drag performers that include St. Albert’s own Karly Klimax and Pheremone Killz.
In addition to the variety show, there will be 52 tables offering resource information, arts and crafts as well as three food trucks providing Kona ice, burgers and vegan-vegetarian meals.
Since the trio is not an official organization, obtaining funding for this project was difficult. However, Peskett, Cranna and Leung are grateful to the City of St. Albert for providing a $3,000 Community Grant by proxy through St. Albert United Church.
Peskett concludes by saying, “Since Outloud closed, there are gaps in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. After this event, we hope people will become more motivated to provide resources to the queer community."
Pride in the Park runs June 28 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The outdoor event is free.
