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Preston Pride returns this weekend, to support and celebrate the city’s LGBTQIA+ community.
Taking place on Saturday (28 September), Preston Pride will feature a wide range of entertainment, including live music, drag performances, local artists and activities for children.
A Pride Parade will run from Adelphi Square at the University of Central Lancashire campus, down Friargate and to the Flag Market.
Read more: Preston Pride parade road closures and route
Attendees can expect to see a variety of stalls from local organisations, charities, and businesses that support the LGBTQIA+ community.
The event aims to create a welcoming space for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or background. It also serves as an important platform to raise awareness of the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals and to encourage dialogue and education.
The huge event is organised by just four dedicated Prestonians.
One the organisers, Lauren, told Blog Preston: “We are so excited as always for Preston Pride 2024. We’ve worked hard behind the scenes to bring our 11th event – and the second Pride Parade – all safe for the community and jam-packed with talented performances and local business/organisation support.
“Preston Pride is so important as an annual event to highlight our LGBTQIA+ community but we all know it is an everyday celebration! It is great for people to get together, celebrate and expand their knowledge of what goes on in our city and highlight resources they may not have heard of. We may be a small Pride but we are mighty and it is great for us all to put our little rainbow stamp on Preston.”
Lauren added: “We’re keen to see lots of local people at Preston Pride because it’s fun, filled with love and free to attend. We as the current committee believe you cannot put a price on celebrating who you are and it is a value we hold dearly.
“We have a variety of performances, incredible supportive businesses and after party venues all coming together for what is going to be an unmissable day.”
Read more: Preston’s ‘arty-farty-fairy-godmother’ to host storytelling and clay workshop celebrating women
Preston City Council is supporting this year’s Preston Pride.
Councillor Hindle, Cabinet Member for Culture and Arts, said: “Preston Pride is a cornerstone event for our city, showcasing our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
“It is vital that we continue to support and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, not just during Pride but every day of the year. Preston Pride is an opportunity for us all to stand together, demonstrate our solidarity, and foster a city where everyone feels welcome and valued. I encourage everyone in Preston and beyond to join us for this important day and feel welcome to show our solidarity.”
In addition to the main event, other venues are getting into the Pride spirit. Visit our event listings to find out more about each of the following:
- Fishergate Shopping Centre will be hosting a dance performance at 12.30pm, and offering free glitter makeovers from 11.30am to 1.30pm
- Elder Emo UK will host an alternative afterparty at The Ferret
- Crywank will be live at The Ferret for one of their only remaining UK dates this year, raising money for local LGBTQIA+ charities
To find out more, follow Preston Pride on Facebook.
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This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to [email protected] for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.
