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 Memorial Drag Ball Game dates back to 1996. A group of friends, several of them drag performers, were grieving the loss of many in the community from HIV/AIDS. They wanted a day to forget about that reality, about politics, and to play a game. They have returned to that game every year since.
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!
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.
