Pride is huge in Toronto, and it's annual events like the parade that act as a major draw to the festival year after year. But, in its 33rd year and as part of the lead-up to World Pride 2014, the festival will be doing a few things differently this year.

Entertainment at Yonge-Dundas Square
This is the first year for a post-parade pop up party in the square. Reggae/R&B singer Diana King is one of the major headliners. Hailing from Jamaica, King won an OutMusic award last year after coming out publicly. She will be accompanied by several other performers from Canada and around the world. All post-parade entertainment at Yonge-Dundas will be free admission.

Trans folk will march down Yonge St.
Members of Toronto's trans community have been campaigning to march down Yonge St. since the Trans March started in 2009. They were denied each year, but this year, they will reign victorious, as they have finally been given the right to do so after the city gave in to pressure from activists.

World Pride 2014 Contest
In case this tidbit has failed to compute thus far, you heard it here first: Toronto is hosting World Pride next summer. It's going to be carazay. Out of towners can rejoice, as there's an all-expenses paid trip to the city up for grabs. And if you live in town and win it, you can give it to a friend or family member who could use it.

Extended Parade route
For the first time, the parade route will be extended all the way down to Yonge-Dundas Square this year, and will culminate in the aforementioned entertainment. (It will start at its customary spot at Church and Bloor). Organizers expect the extension will make the parade route a lot less crowded, so getting a glimpse of the sexy marchers and floats won't be such a struggle.

The 519 gets the party started
The 519 community centre is a popular place to wind up after the parade. Each year, their beer garden is packed, but the lineups are horrendous. So they decided to do something about it—they took over the Ryerson quad, which will make room for twice as many partiers.