Capital Pride wrapped up a "very successful" 2011 edition last week with its parade through Ottawa's downtown core, drawing an estimated 55,000 to 60,000 people, according to its chair Doug Saunders.

Capital Pride maybe the preeminent event for the city's GLBTTQ community, but it's also gradually becoming one of Ottawa's largest and most popular festivals. This year's version featured over 55 events, 100 volunteers and saw an increase of 200-300 per cent in advertising sales over the previous year.

Last week, city Councillor Diane Holmes hung up street signs branded "The Village" in a downtown intersection as part of a poll of local residents and businesses about designating a collection of streets in the city's Centretown region "a gay-friendly village."