Second Annual Dragathon
Hey Fernie! Are you ready to talk about Mental Health?
Once again Fernie’s most fabulous Drag Queens and Kings hit the slopes to shine a rhinestoned spotlight on suicide in the Elk Valley. Last year, with the support of the Fernie Alpine Resort and Fernie PRIDE, our Drag Stars raised over $10,000 for the Elk Valley Suicide Task Force to create a Grief Support for friends and families dealing in the wake of suicide.
This March, the Fernie Dragathon returns with a full-blown extravaganza of events and festivities in the lead-up to the Mighty Moose Dragathon to raise money and awareness for mental health support services in our community and blow wide open the conversation surrounding suicide in the Elk Valley. Fernie
Schedule of Events
Monday
March 7th
7pm
Art Cleansing Session at The Arts Station
Use creation to clear your mind at the Elk Valley Suicide Task Force’s Art Cleansing Session. This is not an art class, but an art experience. This session focuses on building community and connection, rather than skills. Surrender to the cathartic benefits of creative expression and find joy in times of darkness by delving into your imagination with curiosity.
Tuesday
March 8th
7pm
Drag Bingo with the Rainbow Club at Fernie Secondary School
PRIVATE EVENT!
Wednesday
March 9th
8pm
Mental Health Themed Trivia at The Fernie Hotel
Free to Enter!
Introducing our trivia host Mike Seaboyer AKA Ms. Euphoria Bliss. Euphoria Has always dreamt that one day she’d be able to break out of her shell and host a fun and educational trivia night.
Come to the Fernie Hotel and Pub on March 9th and check out Euphoria and her gal pals as they help raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.
Come by early to make sure you get to see our glamorous friend in action. Trivia starts at 8!
Thursday
March 10th
10am
Drag Storytime at the Fernie Heritage Library
Join us for giggles, songs, and a special Storytime with local Drag Queen Isabella GiaV and Miss Bailey who will be reading books on mental health in support of this week’s Dragathon event. Our guests will also have an exciting unveiling for the community thanks to the Elk Valley Suicide Task Force.
Thursday
March 10th
2pm
Drag Walk through Fernie Downtown
Isabella GiaVulva and posse will strut their stuff down 2nd Ave raising awareness and money for EVSTF.
Thursday
March 10th
7pm
Cocktails & Pussy Willows at the Fernie Distillery
Tickets $20 include cocktail, flower crown making, and entertainment.
Enjoy a social night out with Isabella GiaVulva while making your own flower crown and sipping on a sassy, special cocktail.
Friday
March 11th
4pm
Mighty Moose Dragathon! At the Fernie Ski Hill
The week will hit a fever pitch with The Mighty Moose Dragathon, a ski fundraiser like no other! With pageantry and poise, a stunning lineup of Drag Kings and Queens will hit the slopes to sashay their way down Fernie’s most notorious run… The Mighty Moose. The event has evolved into a must-see Drag Extravaganza featuring live performance and hilarious entertainment well into the evening. Our Drag Stars will kick off the event with the Catwalk Challenge where they’ll strut their stuff down the catwalk before they mount the Mighty Moose and will also include each Queen or King performing in a talent quest right on the ski hill (We have a fire twirling Drag King)
Friday
March 11th
9pm
Dragathon After Party at the Griz Bar
The fun will roll on into the night as the world-famous Griz Bar hosts our Queens, Kings and community for a raging After Party. With Covid restrictions easing, get ready to slay on the dance floor, as the iconic Edmonton Drag Queens the Nuff Family perform for the first time ever in Fernie! So get your thigh-high burgundy heels from out of the closet and get ready to party like never before at the Griz Bar After Party!
Now is your opportunity to support a community that tackles the stigma and opens up a dialogue about Mental Health. You can help those in crisis by being a part of the conversation. All of the money raised will go directly to the development of community support services created by the Elk Valley Suicide Task Force. Since January of 2020, the Elk Valley Suicide Task Force has led the conversation about Suicide awareness in the valley. This inclusive community fundraiser aims to;
- Break the Stigma surrounding Suicide, opening up the conversation about mental health in the Elk Valley and making it clear that in Fernie “It is OK to not be OK.”
- Provide more community support services for people in crisis, as our Task Force Director is struggling to connect people with professionals due to long wait times, or closed books. These groups will help to fill the increasing gap and provide a safe space for the interim while people await professional help.
- We will be asking the community during the week of the Fernie Dragathon what types of support groups they would like to see.