The pride just keeps on flowing, this time in New Westminister with the Pride Street Party (https://www.facebook.com/events/304394256682779/)! It’s an amazing feeling to give a stranger free hugs, but when it’s associated with a pride celebration, the hug is even more amazing. You can feel the two-way validation and pure love that is absolutely overpowering. We’ve given thousands of these pride hugs at the Davie Street Party and Vancouver Pride Parade, but in some ways those were a bit quick and hectic. This is our chance to stand in one spot, open our arms, and give truely hartwarming hugs to anyone that wants them.

We’ll be meeting up near the Columbia Skytrain Station at Fourth Street and Columbia Street, then we’ll pick a shady spot within the party on Columbia street, draw a colorful hug zone to make our intentions clear, then smile and open our arms. Join us! Meet us right at noon and help us set up and start drawing, or feel free to come later and join us at any point. Wear something with bright fun colors (even a onesie if you have one and it’s not too hot – check out http://hugsarenice.com/shop) and jump in as we make everyone super happy! If you don’t feel like hugging, just pick up some chalk and draw some cool stuff in the Hug Zone – it’s all super casual.

What’s a Hug Zone? They were pioneered in Vancouver, BC by Gabriel McCay (one of our best huggers, if not the best) as a method of artistic expression that causes ripple effects. Using sidewalk chalk and creativity, a group collaborates to make an area that draws people in, with wording that encourages hugging. Strangers will accept free hugs within the hug zone, but something magical happens even after the group leaves – people continue to walk into the hug zone and hug each other. Depending on the rain, the hug zones can last weeks, encouraging even more hugs every day. Is there anything more beautiful than artwork that causes actions and emotions? Even if you don’t feel like hugging, come along and you can spend the entire time drawing on the sidewalk like you’re a little kid again! Learn more about The Hug Zone Project at http://www.westcoasthugs.com/the-hug-zone-project/.

Never given out free hugs before? Check out http://www.improvanywhere.ca/freehugs.html and http://hugsarenice.com/ to learn all about it, then just show up with open arms and a smile and that’s all there is to it! We’ll have extra chalk if you feel like drawing, or just laugh and smile! This hugging event is totally free, it takes no preparation, and it requires no commitment whatsoever. Give it a shot and feel free to leave at any time if it’s not for you, but just so you know, you’ll likely find yourself hooked within minutes and you won’t want to leave even after everyone else is gone.