Saskatoon

Pride Ferry event decks out Saskatoon's Prairie Lily in rainbow colours

Saskatoon's Prairie Lily riverboat was decked out in the colours of the rainbow on Sunday afternoon.

About 80 people climbed aboard 4th annual ride

Jon Aschenbrener, Saskatoon Pride board director of social media, says there were about 80 people aboard the Pride Ferry ride. (Guy Quenneville/CBC)

Saskatoon Pride Festival's fourth annual Pride Ferry ride had the city's river cruise boat decked out in rainbow colours Sunday afternoon.

"We put rainbows all over the place, so when we're cruising down the river, people know we're coming," explained the festival's director of social media, Jon Aschenbrener.

About 80 people climbed aboard the Prairie Lily event, including first-time cruiser Bernie McLean.

McLean said his friends attended the event last year and their enthusiasm enticed him to tag along this time around.

He added that he also came along to show support for the LGBT community.

Bernie McLean says it was his first time on Saskatoon's Prairie Lily river cruise boat. (Guy Quenneville/CBC)

Aschenbrener said that this year marks a milestone for the city in many ways: not only will it be the 25th year for the Pride festival in Saskatoon, it will also be a year that the Pride community will have the mayor take part in the festivities. 

Charlie Clark will serve as the grand marshal of the city's Pride parade.

Former mayor Don Atchison never attended the city's Pride parade during his time in office.

"It's extremely important to spread awareness to make this city more inclusive and friendly for the queer community," said Aschenbrener. 

With files from CBC's Guy Quenneville