It's being hosted by the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and they expect over 500 people to attend

The Pride in Chinatown event blends traditional and contemporary art including lion dancing, martial arts and drag

VANCOUVER (CityNews) — Pride has been celebrated quietly in Chinatown, until now.

“It’s taken 50 years for a pride event to actually be taking place and claiming space here in Chinatown which is considered to be kind of radical,” says Paul Wong, curator of Thursday’s Pride in Chinatown event.

“We’re celebrating being out, loud and proud,” he says.

The event blends traditional and contemporary art including lion dancing, martial arts and drag.

It’s being hosted by the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

“I think this is something is not only good, but needed in this community,” says Vincent Kwan, executive director.

“It’s a way for us to showcase the garden’s mission about what it means to be inclusive and also a way to bring more poeple into this community,” he says.

The organizers hope this year’s event will lead to bigger events in coming years.