Expect road closures as the Victoria Pride Parade winds its way from Chinatown to James Bay on Sunday.
Victoria Police Department has also deployed temporary monitored cameras for the route “in support of our operations to ensure public safety,” according to a news release.
Taking place July 9 at 11 a.m., the parade will be a colourful march with as many as 140 entries, to be witnessed by an expected 40,000 spectators.
The cameras aid police in controlling traffic and allowing officers to respond to potential public safety incidents.
“Given recent incidents targeting public gatherings around the world, both the use of these cameras and officers’ attendance are part of our duty to ensure that everyone can celebrate a safe, happy, and joyful event,” VicPD said in a statement.
The cameras are not recorded by default and no information is collected during the event unless there is an incident, the agency said.
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Officers plan to walk in the parade as part of the Greater Victoria Police Diversity Advisory Committee team. Officers and staff will not be in uniform instead wearing GVPDAC Pride Parade gear.
Anyone with questions is asked to email engagement@vicpd.ca.
This year’s Pride parade features a new route starting in Chinatown and working its way through the Inner Harbour to MacDonald Park. Road closures in those areas start just after 10 a.m. and are expected to last until about 12:30 p.m.
The parade is among the final events of the Victoria Pride Festival celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ communities with dancing, music, art and a new parade route this year.
Pride Festival in the Park takes place after the parade at MacDonald Park. The free festival features more than 150 vendors, 20-plus food options, cold beverages, a kids’ zone and a main stage.
Visit victoriapridesociety.org for more on this year’s festival.