Join Queers on Ice

A loud and proud skate session is hitting the Emera Oval later this month.

The Halifax Pride Committee is hosting a two-hour free public skate on the oval on the afternoon of Jan. 23.

“It sounds like a lot of fun,” said Adam Reid, who’s planning on attending the event. “Skating is a fun outdoor activity, it’s good excerise and it’s a very nice social activity.”

The event marks the halfway point between the 2015 and 2016 Halifax Pride Festivals.

“A lot of communities often mark that half-way point by having an event, so we decided we’d do something,” said Hugh Samson, community liaison officer with the Halifax Pride Committee.

Reid said in other cities’ events are usually at bars or cost money to attend, so it’s an added bonus that this event is free and family-friendly.

“This is an event that I think a lot of people can get involved with.”

The Halifax Pride Festival is a five-day event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

Halifax’s pride week is Canada’s fourth-largest with more than 150,000 participants celebrating equality and inclusiveness.

People not big on skating but wanting to show support are encouraged to come out and cheer on those with the blades.

“We understand that skating is not necessarily possible for everyone, but we don’t want that to hinder a person from coming out,” said Samson.

“We don’t want them to feel like that’s a barrier.”

Skaters intend to bring a giant Pride flag for a spin around the Oval and there will be prizes for the best costumes.

“I think that is usually an important part for a lot of people during the parade during summertime so we would like to encourage a similar type of attitude,” said Samson.

The Canadian National Figure Skating Championships run from Jan. 18-24, something Samson said is a coincidence but encourages any of the participants or spectators of the championship to visit the Pride Committee’s skating event as well.

Samson said he’s expecting “several hundred” people to attend, but stressed “the more, the merrier.”

Skate and helmet rentals are free while supplies last.

“Queers on Ice” is on Jan. 23 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

For more information, visit “Halfway to Pride: Queers on Ice” on Facebook.

During the winter, Halifax’s skating oval is a hotbed for family-friendly activities, including including a Family Superhero and Princess Day on February 15.

For information on other activities on the oval during the winter, visit: http://www.halifax.ca/skatehrm/.