A rainbow sidewalk painted in Sylvan Lake in 2019. (Sylvan Lake FCSS)

By Sheldon Spackman

Aug 9-15

Pride Week proclaimed in Sylvan Lake

Jul 31, 2020 | 10:52 AM

The Town of Sylvan Lake has formally affirmed its commitment to making the community a place where all persons are treated with dignity, respect and equality.

On Monday, Mayor Sean McIntyre proclaimed Aug. 9 – 15, 2020 as Pride Week in Sylvan Lake.

Krista Carlson, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), Youth Services Supervisor for the Town of Sylvan Lake, says the initiative leading up to the proclamation began last November when FCSS hosted a Youth Leadership Summit.

“We had a number of youth come to that summit and just discuss some of the things they felt were issues in Sylvan Lake that needed to be addressed, and things they wanted to put a voice to,” recalls Carlson. “So they had a lengthy list of things they wanted to tackle with the hopes afterwards that we would form a group that would then want to lead some of those initiatives. So one of the things that did come up was having more safe spaces, and more community involvement in the LGBTQS+ community.”

Since forming The Sylvan Lake Impact Coalition together with local youth, Carlson says the idea came about to do a proclamation for Pride Week.

Last seen Nov. 28

Missing: Jimmy Eagle, 27, of Maskwacis

17h ago

the situation is dire

Two deaths, possibly from cold exposure, raise alarm amid Red Deer shelter situation and plight of homeless community

Dec 12, 2025

Lace-'Em Up!

Red Deer's outdoor rinks returning for another season

Dec 12, 2025

“We (FCSS) helped them develop that proclamation and they submitted it to the Town of Sylvan Lake,” she explains. “They’re really excited about it, they really just wanted to see the fruits of their labour and want to see those changes actually happening and feeling like they were a big part of making history in Sylvan Lake.”

Carlson says the proclamation of Pride Week next month, is really about being an inclusive and diverse community.

“We know that when we’re more accepting of everybody in the community, everybody has a positive impact on that,” suggests Carlson. “We just want everyone to know that it really is just about accepting everybody for who they are and not what we think people should be. Inclusivity and diversity creates opportunity for everyone.”

During Pride Week itself, however, Carlson notes the difficulty of hosting events during the COVID-19 pandemic, acknowledging that their goal is to simply keep their message visible in the community.

“So you’ll see lots of things plastered on our social media over that week,” she remarks. “We’re going to be sharing some of the things that Central Alberta Pride Society is doing as well in Red Deer, as they have some really great virtual events happening. We are definitely encouraging the community to get out and show their pride.”

In addition, Carlson hopes an internal initiative they’re working on, #tiedyeforpride, will also catch on with the community.

“So using that hashtag, #tiedyeforpride and showing us your photos of you and your tie dyed-rainbow, colourful shirt,” she explains. “With our staff here, we’re going to be doing a tie dye day with our staff and taking some photos. We’re also going to have a celebration with our Impact Coalition where we’re going to throw some smoke bombs down at the lake and have some colourful photo opportunities there.”

Carlson adds local businesses will also be encouraged to show their pride in some way as well.

“The other thing too is, our light house, that is going to be rainbow colours for the week,” she points out. “This is just the beginning. Every year it’s going to be bigger and better and we want to show everybody in our community that this is a safe and belonging and accepting community to live in.”