Portage la Prairie Pride is a Pride organization based in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. The group was founded to stand up for all human rights (particularly LGBTTQ* rights, as well as Indigenous and Women’s rights), raise awareness and educate others, and dispel negativity and judgement toward those who are marginalized by others[i]. Pride Portage encourages all people to come together and unite with love and respect for one another; be themselves; celebrate their differences; and most importantly, feel safe in an open, accepting environment.
The event was held annually from 2016-2019, but was cancelled in 2020, 2021, and 2022. It resumed in 2023 and was held on May 27, 2023.
First March
Portage la Prairie held its first Pride Parade on August 27, 2016[ii]. Celebrations began at 10 a.m. with a rally in front of the Portage Community Revitalization Corporation, as well as face painting and speeches in the parking lot directly adjacent to the Herman Prior Centre. The march was scheduled to start at 11 a.m and took the hundreds of participants, including Mayor Irvin Ferris in a loop from the Portage La Prairie Community Revitalization Corporation to Crescent Lake and back.
The event was attended by dozens of counter-protestors holding up religiously motivated anti-LGBT rights signs. However, their presence did not dissuade participants from marching proudly during the inaugural event[iii].
March for Equality
Portage la Prairie rebranded their march in 2018, calling it the “March for Equality”. The timing of the event has varied from year to year, having now been hosted in August, September, July, and May.
March Route
Year | Route | Reason | Image |
2016 | The march started at Portage la Prairie Community Revitalization Corporation. From there it went south on Royal Road, east along the Crescent, north on 3rd Street SE, then west on Saskatchewan Ave back to the starting point[iv]. | Unknown | |
2017 | The March for Equality started at Stride Place. The route took participants from Stride Place – Bridge – Crescent Road to 3rd Street SE – 3rd Street SE to Saskatchewan Avenue – Saskatchewan Avenue to Royal Road – Royal Road to Bridge – Stride Place[v]. | Unknown | |
2018 | The March for Equality began at Heritage Square, heading south on Royal Road, east along the Crescent, north on 3rd Street SE, then west on Saskatchewan Ave back to the starting point[vi] | Unknown | |
2019 | The March for Equality followed the same route as 2018[vii]. | Unknown | |
2020 | N/A | Cancelled due to COVID-19 | |
2021 | N/A | Unknown | |
2022 | N/A | Unknown | |
2023 | The march started at Heritage Square, going south on Royal Road, east along the Crescent, north on 3rd Street SE, then west on Saskatchewan Ave back to the starting point. | Unknown |
Festival Site
The Portage la Prairie Pride Celebration takes place in downtown Portage la Prairie. Since its inception, the event has moved from its original location at the Portage la Prairie Revitalization Corporation in 2016, to Stride Place in 2017, the Herman Prior Activity Centre in 2018 and 2019, and Heritage Square and Trinity Church in 2023.
Amenities have varied over the years to include:
- Charity Barbeque
- Face painting
- Pride souvenir vendors
- Various ticketed events
Lineups
Year | Date | Location | Lineup |
2016 | August 27, 2016 | Portage la Prairie Revitalization Corporation | Unknown |
2017 | September 16, 2017 | Stride Place | Unknown |
2018 | July 7, 2018 | Herman Prior Activity Centre | Unknown |
2019 | May 11, 2019 | Herman Prior Activity Centre | Unknown |
2020 | Cancelled | ||
2021 | Cancelled | ||
2022 | Cancelled | ||
2023 | May 27, 2023 | Heritage Square | The event began with speakers including Pride Committee Member William Garrioch, liberal candidate Kerry Smith, community member Jennifer Rey, and Dr. Shayne Reitmeier (the sole sponsor of the 2023 event)[ix]. Following the march, family-friendly activities were hosted at Trinity Church. |
Portage Pride Social
Year | Venue | Theme | Description | Image |
2016 | Army Navy Air Force Veterans Unit#13 | Unknown | The first annual Pride Social was held on August 27, 2016 from 8pm-1am. This was an 18+ ticketed event[x]. | ![]() |
2017 | Army Navy Air Force Veterans Unit#13 | Unknown | Hosted by The Snowy Owl Monarchist Society, this 18+ ticketed event was the second annual social celebrating individuality, diversity and sense of community in Portage la Prairie. The event included a drag show featuring some of Winnipeg’s finest entertainers including Portage la Prairie’s Will Garrioch as Cheron[xii]. | ![]() |
2018 | Herman Prior Activity Centre | Unknown | Hosted by The Snowy Owl Monarchist Society and Sunshine House, this 18+ ticketed event was the third annual social celebrating individuality, diversity and sense of community in Portage la Prairie. The event included a drag show featuring some of Winnipeg’s finest entertainers including Portage la Prairie’s Will Garrioch as Cheron as well as DJ J. Jackson[xiv]. | |
2019 | Herman Prior Activity Centre | Unknown | This 18+ ticketed event was the fourth annual social celebrating individuality, diversity and sense of community in Portage la Prairie[xv]. | ![]() |
2023 | William Glesby Centre | Unknown | This 18+ ticketed event was the fifth annual drag show and social with performances by Cheron Sharelike, Jynx Nouveau, and Cascade Chanel[xvii]. |
Attendance
2016: “Hundreds”[xviii]
2017: 300[xix]
2018: 200[xx]
2019: 415[xxi]
2020: Cancelled
2021: Cancelled
2022: Cancelled
2023: Unknown
Social Media Debuts
Instagram DM: April 27, 2017 https://www.instagram.com/prideportage/
Facebook DM: August 30, 2015 https://www.facebook.com/PridePortage/
Logo
Date | Logo Graphic |
August 30, 2015 | ![]() |
April 15, 2023 | ![]() |
References
[i] https://www.facebook.com/events/1401926793195882/
[ii] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/portage-la-prairie-pride-parade-1.3738403
[iii] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/portage-la-prairie-pride-parade-1.3738403
[iv] https://www.facebook.com/events/627264254102487
[v] https://www.facebook.com/events/1401926793195882/
[vi] https://www.facebook.com/events/1564590440311883/
[vii] https://www.facebook.com/events/420402668693335/
[viii] https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=637123035123352&set=pb.100064769826954.-2207520000
[ix] https://www.thegraphicleader.com/news/local-news/portage-marks-5th-annual-pride
[x] https://www.facebook.com/events/627264254102487
[xi] https://www.facebook.com/PridePortage/photos/gm.627264270769152/1661816524137990
[xii] https://www.facebook.com/events/655645317964915/
[xiii] https://www.facebook.com/PridePortage/photos/gm.658523447677102/1876358962683744
[xiv] https://www.facebook.com/events/1477597252349757/
[xv] https://www.facebook.com/events/274757136746277/
[xvi] https://www.facebook.com/PridePortage/photos/gm.274757146746276/2272006943118942
[xvii] https://www.facebook.com/events/242642178435018/
[xviii] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/portage-la-prairie-pride-parade-1.3738403
[xix] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/portage-pride-protesters-1.4294378
[xx] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/portage-pride-parade-protests-1.4738107
[xxi] https://portageonline.com/local/pride-parade
[xxii] https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1486532194999758&set=a.559898229512500
[xxiii] https://www.portageonline.com/articles/pride-portage-rebrands-and-announces-march-date