A carnival fundraiser filled with clowns and colour was held to benefit upcoming Pride celebrations in Nanaimo.
Cirque du So-Gay, hosted by the Nanaimo Pride Society and the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association, took place Saturday, May 10, in Diana Krall Plaza in downtown Nanaimo. The circus-type atmosphere came complete with clowns and performers with hula hoops and batons, and a dunk tank.
Lauren Semple, society president, told the News Bulletin she was happy to partner with the business association to hold an event in downtown Nanaimo, as the area has been hurting and businesses could benefit from some pedestrian traffic.
"We're one month away from Pride Week in Nanaimo, so we wanted to make sure that the event had a different feel and was something that could be open to all ages," Semple said. "So we like the carnival theme because it's easily accessible lots of different price points. There's free entertainment, free face-painting, and a really good, fun atmosphere."
Money was raised through carnival games and other activities and there wasn't a fundraising target, but rather the goal was to put on a safe, successful event, Semple said.
There were clouds in the sky as the event began, but the Pride society president wasn't too worried even though she had a turn coming up in the dunk tank.
"I'm glad the weather is holding out, but I'm assuming I'm going to get wet one way or the other, whether it's by rain or by getting dunked," Semple said.
Pride Week in Nanaimo takes place from June 2-8.
