Mount Washington welcomes Smudge + Megastar at the first annual - Vancouver Island Pride
For Immediate Release
February 7, 2019 - Mount Washington, BC, Canada - This spring Mount Washington will come alive as they welcome their first LGBTQ snow sports and entertainment weekend, Vancouver Island Pride.
Among the entertainment will be Vancouver Drag legend The Unstoppable Conni Smudge, who will play hostess for the Pride weekend running February 28 - March 3, 2019.
“We’re thrilled to have the fierce Conni Smudge as part of our inaugural event,” exclaimed Dean Nelson, Executive Producer for Vancouver Island Pride and LGBTQ Travel specialist. “She’s incredibly warm. Bold. Glamorous. It’s exciting to have her back on the island to light up our festival.”
Conni will perform throughout the Pride weekend, including Drag bingo and performances at Ted’s Bar & Grill - the host venue for the event offering signature cocktails, coast inspired fare, and a lively dance floor.
Joining Conni will be a host of fabulous performers including award-winning singer/songwriter Lance Lapointe and Jona Kristinsson, lead singer of the Femme Fatales and multiyear headliner at Nanaimo Pride. The performers will also team-up for an incredible night of dancing with the Megastar Live Band.
“We have a talented community of performers and the perfect stage to showcase what they do best - bringing the community together."
In addition to the evening programming, the weekend will also include complimentary weekend Pride Ski Guiding, a charity ski race, Pride + Costume ski parade, fat mountain biking, Nordic skiing, inner tubing, and special learn to ski/ride Pride group lessons.
For more information on Vancouver Island Pride including full event listings please visit VIPwinter.ca
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About Vancouver Island Pride:
Vancouver Island Pride is an annual LGBTQ winter event celebrating diversity on and off the slopes at Mt. Washington Alpine Resort in the heart of the Comox Valley. Combining skiing, snowboarding, Fat Bike (snow mountain biking), Inner Tubing, Nordic skiing along with quality Après Ski and evening programming. All genders and sexuality are welcomed regardless of where one identifies on the spectrum.
ABOUT DEPARTURES BY DEAN - Go beyond the ordinary.
Departures by Dean (an independent agent with Personal Travel Management - BC Reg. 2806) is an LGBTQ travel specialist led by Dean Nelson offering curated adventures across the globe for the LGBTQ community and its allies. For thirteen years, Dean was the face of the award-winning Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, founder of the 2010 Olympic Pride House pavilion, and Co-Founder of Mr. Gay World. He has marched in over 30 Pride events worldwide and in 2018 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law from Thompson Rivers University for his work in LGBTQ Tourism and human rights. The IGLTA - International Gay Lesbian Travel Association also recognized Dean with a “Pioneer Award” for his work in LGBTQ Tourism. Dean also helps build inclusive environments in hotels and resorts as a LGBT consultant for the tourism industry and diversity facilitator with the Canadian Gay Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
ABOUT MOUNT WASHINGTON
Mount Washington Alpine Resort is located just 30 minutes from the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia and hosts over 300,000 visits per year. In the winter guests enjoy five chairlifts, and five carpet lifts accessing over 1,700 acres and 1,657 vertical feet of alpine terrain. The resort also has 55 kilometers of designated cross-country skiing and 25km of snowshoeing trails along with a dedicated Nordic lodge.
Off-island visitors can use WestJet, Air Canada, Central Mountain Air, and Pacific Coastal Airlines which provide air service to the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) or they can fly right into Comox Marina via Harbour Air. Additional carriers serving the Victoria Airport (YYJ) includes Alaska Airlines out of Seattle.
CONTACT: Dean Nelson | Executive Producer
PHONE: 604.739.3622 x348 or 1.800.872.9080 x348
EMAIL: dean@personaltravel.ca
WEBSITE: vipwinter.ca