While Pride celebrations across the country are being criticized as little more than an excuse to party, Calgary Pride is gearing up to show the city how important this event for all ages is to the community and its allies, as well as those in other countries.

"Pride for me is a time where we come together as a community and celebrate who we are, where we came from and where we are going in the years to come," says Stephen Wright, president of the Pride Calgary Planning Committee. "We still have a lot of hurdles to get over before we are fully accepted in society here in Calgary or in Canada."

Events will start August 22nd with the Official Pride Calgary VIP Kick-off at Yuk Yuks, followed August 27th with the Gay History Walk & Reception, back by popular demand. This two-hour tour through downtown highlights significant locations where gay history was made here in the city. The walk is put on by the Calgary Queer History Project and Calgary Outlink.

Outlink will also be re-launching its LGBTQ library with a kick-off event August 26th at the Community Wise Resource Centre. Used books will be available for $2 and spoken word performances will be given, including a reading by author Dale Lee Kwong.

On August 28th a picnic will take place at Buckmaster Park, commemorating the 1991 mayoral proclamation that for the first time made Calgary Pride week official (though public outcry forced the former mayor, Al Duerr, to rescind). It was also the first year Bankview residents were able to utilize the park. Attendees are invited to come and eat al fresco and play some sports, beginning at 4pm.

The opening Pride parade starts at noon, Sunday, August 31st, on Stephen Ave and proceeds west to Shaw Millennium Park where the family-friendly festival will get underway.

"We have Les Girls and YYCBadBoys hosting our main stage again this year with great entertainment to keep everyone dancing," Wright says. "The FamilyZone is coming back bigger and better than in previous years with more activities for the kids and parents. The food trucks are always a big hit, and we’ll be having six of the favourites in our food court area again this year."

The beer gardens will also be expanded, and Wright says they will have the space for nearly double the cold beer drinkers as last year.

A Homo Hop all-ages dance, a slow dance, film screenings, a panel discussion on tackling homophobia in sports, the Hot Mess Pride Brunch, the premier’s brunch, and of course, Pure Pride the official dance night – so many events to take in this Pride week that one almost needs a special ap.

At current Calgary Pride is run by ten volunteer board members, though Wright says it is hoped that the group will be able to have one paid, year-round position in the future.

"We always need volunteers especially on the day of the parade and festival for set-up, clean-up and general help throughout the day," he says. "Donations are always welcome, but most of our support comes from the local and corporate business community in Calgary."

So regardless of your family status or tastes, there is a Pride event to suit everyone.

"No matter who you are or where you are, we are all still fighting for the same rights whether it’s here or in the US or somewhere around the world," Wright says. "We have to have these Pride events to show our support for others who are oppressed in countries that don’t have the rights we do."