Pagans gather to celebrate pride for the 8th consecutive year!

This Saturday, Pagans from all over Vancouver Island, and even from the lower mainland, will descend on the Kin Park at Departure Bay to celebrate, show their pride and give back to the community.

“Pagan Pride Day is an initiative that was started to help eliminate prejudice towards earth based religions through education and openly showing the public what we do.”

Kam Abbott is the local coordinator for Pagan Pride Day and a Priest with the Circle of Hearth and Kin, an affiliate member of the International Wiccan Organization, the Aquarian Tabernacle Church.

“Over the last eight years we have built a foundation of understanding and friendship with the community at large. When Pagan Pride Day was first started in Nanaimo, we had a small gathering of local Pagans who were secure enough to be identified in public and a handful of interested people sharing a dialogue. Now the day has blossomed in to so much more.  We have rows of vendors and businesses that come to sell their wares and openly show support for the Pagan community. We also have musicians that provide wonderful entertainment and knowledgeable people from different organizations who come to share their skills and experience through the free workshops.”

Each year the Pagan community dedicates its hard work and energy towards raising funds for a charitable organization that has a positive effect in the community at large.  In previous years proceeds raised by Pagan Pride Day have been donated to organizations like Cystic Fibrosis Canada, the Nanaimo Regional Hospital Foundation, Save Mt. Benson fund, the Georgia Straight Alliance and many others. This year all funds raised by the festival will be donated to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

“We feel it’s important for us to give back to and support the organizations that provide services to all people and to help the Vancouver Island community as a whole.  Diabetes is a disease that is not segregated by spiritual beliefs and affects so many people every single day. The Canadian Diabetes Association is a wonderful organization that provides services and resources regardless of religion, age, gender and ethnicity. We are proud to lend our support to them this year.”

Nanaimo Pagan Pride Day will be held on Saturday, August 25th from 11AM to 6PM at the Kin Park on Departure Bay beach in Nanaimo.

More information, including a schedule of events is available at our website: http://www.nanaimopaganpride.org

Media inquiry’s can be directed to Kam Abbott info@nanaimopaganpride.org or call 250-739-3997

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Pagan Pride Day is almost here and all we need now are the volunteers to make it go!

All the funds raised by our hard work are being donated to the Canadian Diabetes association. Please sign up for a shift and not only help the Pagan community by raising good will and energy, but help the CDA by raising desperately needed funds for Diabetes research and support.

Many hands are needed for morning setup. We also need assistance in the concession stand, the kids’ activity area as well as other odd jobs throughout the day.

Work shifts during the event are typically 90 minutes long and no one is scheduled to work while the main ritual is in progress.

Time and energy are one of the most valuable contributions that anyone can make and please know that your contribution is much appreciated.

Please sign up to volunteer for a work shift to help make this day a success!

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