Regina's Queen City Pride kicks off festivities

Regina's Queen City Pride Festival is in full swing after a flag-raising ceremony on Friday night.

The Pride Festival celebrations continued Saturday with a community fairat the Regina Farmers' Market. The fair on Scarth Street featured several tables set up by local vendors and community organizations, all of whom were showcasing theLGBT-friendly services offered in the city.

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Also offered at the fair were several pieces of rainbow merchandise, including mugs, flags, umbrellasand several other items emblazoned with rainbows.

Dan Shier, co-chair of Queen City Pride, said thatthis year's festival has well over 55 events, making it the largest Pride event held in Regina.

Having been with Pride for six years, Shier has noticed a change in attitudesin Regina.

"Businesses haveflags in front of their businesses," said Shier. "Really, the city's starting to change its colours and get ready for summer with Pride."

The event, which runs until June 18 this year, has grown in almost every respect in the past few years, Shier said.

"We've definitely grown from kind of a small seven-day, one-week festival, to now we've now expanded to 10 days, 55 plus events. It's a lot bigger and there's a lot more happening for all sorts of different people."

For a full list of Pride events, visit the Queen City Pride website.