April 29, 2008 — The 2008 Pride festivities will build on the incredible success of the 2007 edition with an array of activities, open to all, celebrating Montréal’s vibrant and dynamic gay and lesbian community. The program kicks off with two major cocktails at Montréal City Hall and the Québec Gay Chamber of commerce, followed by the Avenue of Health and Wellbeing, official Happy Hour, Community Day on Sainte-Catherine Street, the Dorion Sings Dion Show, official brunches, T-dances in the street and, of course, the wildly popular Pride Parade and closing festivities with Radical Queen on Sunday, August 17.
“The incredible support we’ve received from the community, the Borough of Ville-Marie and the private sector promises to give the city its best Pride celebration ever,” says Éric Pineault, President of Célébrations LGBTA Montréal. “Last year, with just eight weeks to raise the financing and organize, we delivered a fantastic event, with 90 exhibitors and 25,000 visitors at Community Day, plus 50,000 spectators lining the streets to watch the 70 floats and 1,500 participants in the parade. This year, with the synergy we have seen between the community, the borough and private sponsors, we are expecting some 200,000 people to attend and participate in the 4 days of the 2008 activities.”
The theme of the 2008 Pride Parade is “Here comes the circus!” will offer floats, performers and marchers, more originality to all spectators. The parade begins at 1 p.m. on the corner of René-Levesque Boulevard and de Lorimier, and will continue west to Saint-Hubert, followed by celebrations in the Village. Sainte-Catherine Street in the Village will already be closed to automobile traffic for the Summer from June 17 to September 3, between Berri and Papineau Streets, adding to the open-air festive atmosphere of the event.
“The events, including the Parade and the Community Day, are now part of the summer calendar of Montrealers, as much as any other celebration or festival. The planning for next year is well under way and we have already received major support. These events are just one more indication of how proud and thriving our community is” concluded Mr. Pineault.
Celebrations LGBTA is proud to count on the support of its major partners (as of April 29, 2008): Tourisme Montréal, City of Montréal, Borough of Ville-Marie, Société de développement commercial du Village, Fugues Magazine, Canada Trust, Sky Complex, Via Rail, Delta Centre-Ville Hotel, Être Magazine, Manhunter and Videotron.
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About Célébrations LGBTA
Célébrations LGBTA Montréal (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders and their Allies) is a non-profit organization that proudly organizes the Community Day and the Montréal gay and lesbian Pride Parade since May 2007. Célébrations LGBTA Montréal was created with the support of the community, the business world, the City of Montréal, the SDC du Village (the Village merchant and business association) and more than 100 groups and community associations.
info@fiertemontrealpride.com | www.fiertemontrealpride.org
514 750-4491
