LET’S provided a low sensory space for Burnaby Pride. We also set up our information booth. The low sensory tent was well used. And people very much appreciated being provided with free sensory items at our information booth.
Burnaby Pride is composed of community members (2SLGBTQIA+ and allies) and agencies with programs and services in Burnaby. Burnaby Pride is actively seeking volunteers to join their enthusiastic team in the planning and preparation of Burnaby Pride.
This was a year of change for Burnaby Pride. Instead of being held in their previous location, Civic Square (next to Metrotown Library), Burnaby Pride was held at the Bonsor Recreation Complex field. There were several reasons for making the change. Burnaby Pride has grown over the past several years and Civic Square has space limitations. Additionally, Civic Square has some accessibility but the grass is an accessibility barrier and impacts disabled people’s ability to attend and equitably participate.
The new location had numerous issues that affected attendees and had them seeking out the low sensory space. The field was very dusty and affected people with respiratory issues. The heat was a lot and the field reflected the heat back at people. There were picnic tables provided but they were metal and unless people had longer clothing or something to sit on, the hot metal made the tables unusable. There was a cooling tent but there was no signage or seating. We had people come into the low sensory space for a place to sit. There was a sink for water and a cooler of ice available for attendees but a lack of signage. We had water at our information booth and also helped direct people to the water disposal unit and ice. However, we didn’t learn about the ice until the last 2 hours.
While there were issues with the venue, including that the sandy field was not more accessible for people with wheeled devices, Burnaby Pride was a day full of joy, celebration, music, dancing, connection, and pride. The enthusiasm was palpable. We had wonderful conversations at both the low sensory space and information booth. We were excited to talk with some teachers who were interested in learning more about the sensory kits we will be selling in September. And the volunteers at Burnaby Pride were excellent and really helped with our set-up and take-down, which was very much appreciated.
LET’S is proud of our ongoing relationship with Burnaby Pride. While the change to the new venue had issues, they took a risk to try to improve things. Interesting fact: Burnaby Pride was the first event (aside from sporting events) to be held at the Bonsor Centre fields. The lessons learned through this year’s experience have been captured. Something LET’S respects about how Burnaby Pride is operated, is that they actively seek out feedback from individuals and vendors. LET’S has every confidence that Burnaby Pride will apply what they learned this year to make next year’s event all that much better.