The Capital Pride Parade returns to downtown Ottawa this weekend, with thousands expected to attend the march along with other festivities celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. The parade begins at 1 p.m. on a new route this year, starting at Booth and Wellington streets in LeBreton Flats, travelling eastwards on Wellington Street, going south down Bank Street and concluding at Slater Street. This year’s festival theme is Together We Shine, celebrating the “power of community, visibility, and belonging.” The first-ever captain of the Ottawa Charge and Olympic gold medalist Brianne Jenner is this year’s parade Grand Marshall. Suggested viewing areas along the parade route include Wellington Street where it meets the Portage Bridge, near Wellington and Lyon streets, and near Wellington and Kent streets. An accessible viewing area is available on the sidewalk in front of the Garden of Provinces and Territories. A two-day street festival is also taking place on Saturday and Sunday with various vendors, performances, and activities. The festival takes place between noon and 8 p.m. each day. Performances and activities are also being organized in Snyder Plaza and Metcalfe Plaza. According to organizers, more than 100,000 people and over 300 groups will be participating and watching the parade. Road closures Traffic is expected to be messy in the downtown core this weekend. Drivers should plan ahead and expect delays. Bank Street will be closed from Slater Street to Gladstone Avenue from 6 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. on Sunday for the street festival. The following road closures will be in effect for the parade on Sunday: The Chaudière Bridge and Portage Bridge will be closed from noon to 4 p.m. OC Transpo OC Transpo will be maintaining bus service throughout the festival with several detours in place. Routes 6, 7, and 11 will be detoured from 4:30 p.m. on Friday until midnight on Monday for the street festival. Routes 6 and 7 northbound trips will use Metcalfe Street and southbound trips will use O’Connor Street. Route 11 eastbound trips will use Kent Street and westbound trips will use Lyon Street. Routes 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 will be detoured for the parade from 11:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. All trips affected by road closures during the parade will be detoured onto adjacent streets. Para Transpo customers attending the parade will be dropped off and picked up at Booth Street at Vimy Place.
