Vancouver Pagan Pride

[pt_tangles]

Well, in simplistic terms, Vancouver's PPD was a bust. There was little to no organization of the event (and VERY little advertising). There were all of two signs directing people to where it was being held (with the oh so helpful --> pointing to a road that eventually split off in two or three other roads ... and only if you chose the right road did you get to see another sign pointing up a hill to the picnic area).

It had a very 'family picnic' feel to it. The problem with this for me was that I didn't know anyone, and wasn't interested in playing with their kids or wandering around making small talk.

Perhaps I was expecting too much ... a guest speaker or two ... perhaps a few pamphlets with some info on Paganism and the meaning of harvest festivals and celebrations, some info from some of the local Pagan groups (or covens if there are any), a few vendors ... maybe a booth with someone selling food of some kind ... some musicians ... perhaps some people doing face painting or having crafty-type classes (you know, make your own besom/wand/whatever). ANYTHING!

What there was was a few minutes of a spiral dance that people were pressured to participate in ... rather than just watch if you were only mildly interested. Some apple bobbing for the kids, and a raffle (oh, and I think that there were a couple of ladies selling witch hats).

The saving grace of the day was that I got to meet Kuldunia, and we had fun ... ending up at Tim Hortons when we had had our fill of PPD. Also, the weather was absolutely lovely ... warm and sunny.

According to many of the people who posted about in one of the local e-groups, PPD was a shining success ... apparently I DO have too high of standards (especially about not wanting people to take and post photos of me online without my permission). Bleh -

--Phae

Comments

[elf]

Something like this came up on one my other lists... this is part of my response:

"How much the attendees enjoyed the event is not a measure of its success... if you do *nothing* at a pagan event but announce it, the majority will enjoy it. We like hanging out with other pagans, even if it's just a picnic in the park.

... Any public pagan gathering lets pagans meet each other, and allows mildly curious nonpagans get a better idea about us. But that's the nature of the event, and a good, ethical leader takes no credit for those things happening--they take credit for a smooth schedule, lack of hassles with the local authorities, good press coverage, and a non-pagan community that's looking forward for their next chance to meet pagans."

A successful event isn't one that "everyone who attended enjoyed." It's one that enhances paganism in the community--both by allowing people to meet & learn about each other, and improving relations with the non-pagan locals.

So no, I don't think your standards are too high. It's not extreme to think, "pagan pride events should be more than a potluck social."

[pt_tangles]

Well, that's good to know ;o) I just can't help but think that 'I' could have planned a better event, and I don't know anything about that kind of stuff.

--Phae

[beltainelady.livejournal.com]

Neither did the coordinator for the NYC Pagan Pride...but she managed to get a good bunch of people to help her out.

It's a lot of work, but with the right support system, even an inexperienced person can do it.

[pt_tangles]

I was having a brainstorm about all the things that could have been SO much better ... but, there are far too many locals who think that the current coordinator did such a wonderful job ... I doubt that there would be much sway to having someone else do it next year.

I am pretty disillusioned with the locals right now (especially, now that there are a couple going on a tirade about how stupid and selfish people are if they don't want people to take their picture and post it on the internet without permission).

--Phae