CALGARY -- After participating in Calgary's Gay Pride parade in her bid to become Alberta's leader last year, Alison Redford will become the first provincial premier to be a part of the annual celebration next month.

While Pride Calgary could not confirm Sunday whether Redford will participate in the parade itself, the Premier's office tweeted, "Pleased to be attending the Pride Parade in Calgary on Sept. 2!"

Doug Hass, Pride Calgary communications director, said the news has delighted the city's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community.

"We're really excited that we have straight allies in the Alberta government who are looking to support the LGBT community in Calgary," he said, noting Redford will be addressing attendees following the parade, but couldn't say whether she'd make a return as a participant as she did a year ago when she was vying for the vacated premier's job.

The premier's office did not return calls for comment on Sunday.

The parade will begin at Olympic Plaza and head west down Stephen Avenue towards Shaw Millenium Park, which will be the official location for the Pride Calgary Street Festival, running from noon to 6 p.m. and featuring music, dancing, community booths and a beer garden.

It will kick off a week of festivities for the Pride Festival, which will run from Sept. 1 - 8.

In June, Redford became the first sitting premier to participate in Edmonton's Gay Pride festivities, sporting a rainbow sash and addressing revellers after the parade.

Last year, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi donned a purple T-shirt which read, "STRAIGHT NOT NARROW" and was the parade's grand marshal, marking the first time a Calgary mayor has participated in the event's 21-year history.