Yellowknife, N.W.T. - For the first time in Yellowknife there will be a Pride festival taking place on the Folk on the Rocks site and at the Black Knight this August.

The NWT Pride celebrations are in partnership with It Gets Better Yellowknife, they want to give the queer community in the North an event to help celebrate the diversity of the city.

Nancy MacNeill, a coordinator of the NWT Pride, said this event will allow the queer community in smaller communities in the North to meet others.

"We feel that by doing something really big and really public and inclusive of people around the North, we are able to at least start that conversation and open it up, and let people know that there is a community here, and it does exist even if you’re not totally sure where it is."

One of the coordinators for NWT Pride, Iman Kassam said residents can expect to see more celebrations in the future.

"We exist we are here, there is a community for you, and hopefully next year and the year after that. This will be a legacy I can guarantee this will go on for years and years to come in Yellowknife and eventually there is going to be a parade."

For the Friday night launch party on August the 31st, Toronto band Random Order and local Artist Grey Grit will be performing.

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