The Memorial Drag Ball Game is one of Victoria Pride’s signature events, and we’re so excited for this year. Join us on Wednesday, July 1st, from 12 to 3 pm at Vic West Park for baseball, community picnic, laughs, and—of course—community!
The game has roots dating back to the early 1990’s. Kevin Harney, pitched the idea of having a Tits and Mitts baseball game to the Garden City Softball Association. This association was essentially a group of gay men who wished to play softball and play in tournaments with other teams in Vancouver and Seattle. The Tits and Mitts concept was taken from an annual Vancouver event where a team of drag queens would play a team of lesbians. All of the players on our team thought this concept was very cool. So, the first game drew a small but enthusiast crowd. The event developed as folks were grieving the loss of community members from HIV/AIDS. This was a way for a way to keep spirits up and so the Memorial Dragball Game as we know it was formed.
Over time, more people have joined, and the gathering founded on resilience has also become a community celebration. Keeping the name to remain authentic to its roots, the Memorial Drag Ball Game now draws up to 1000 spectators who, every year, let go of differences, embrace fun and absurdity, and just come for the DRAG of it!
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The Victoria Pride Society acknowledges that it organizes and works on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen Peoples and that the land’s relationships with the Songhees, Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples have existed since time immemorial. Further to this acknowledgement, the Victoria Pride Society affirms that colonialism and the attitudes and practices that have accompanied it contribute to systemic discrimination and violence against Indigenous Peoples and all marginalized and equity-deserving people. Read more.
