Record numbers of visitors are expected to attend this year’s Bristol Pride Festival in Castle Park today.
The event will feature two headline acts with 90s dance sensation, and Rhythm of The Night singer, Corona and The Big Reunion Boyband A1.
The donation entry festival will feature 46 acts across 9 hours including urban act VOIS, electro girl band Love Beats Riot, Katherine Ellis, The Showbears (Britain’s Got Talent), Kate Bush tribute Cloudbusting, Dr Meaker, Denise Pearson from Five Star and international artists Iskwé and America’s Hi Fashion exclusively performing at Bristol Pride.
A second stage hosts 20 Cabaret acts including burlesque, pole dancing, drag kings and queens from all over the UK including award winners such as Son Ofa Tutu, Drag With No Name, Baga Chipz and will be headlined by singer Kelly Wilde.
The Pride Parade, departs from Queens Square at 11 a.m. The park festival, running from 12 noon to 9.30 p.m., will feature 3 stages for entertainment, a family area with kite making classes and activities from atBristol and Bristol Zoo, a funfair, market and expo stalls, food and bars, an on-site roller disco and a community area hosting over 60 organisations ranging from health services and charities to sports groups.
The Bristol Pride Festival, named No2 ‘Best Pride In The UK’ (Cooperative Respect Awards) is one of the largest Pride events in the country and will present over 17 events across Pride Week from July 3-13.
Entry to Pride Day is by donation (£3 suggested) but Pride are offering a £5 day wristband or a day and night pass for £15 that will offer discounts on-site including food stalls, reduced bar prices and skate hire.
Pride are asking everyone to donate at least £3 this year as concerns grow in Bristol for the future of the event following Bristol City Council’s decision not to award the organisation behind the festival any Key Arts Provider Funding.
DJs The Freemasons headline the official afterparty at the O2 Academy with aerial performances from Circomedia along with eccentric party makers Sink The Pink, 90s club night Another Night and a specially created ‘Pop Paparazzi Parlour’ from performance artist Harry Clayton Wright.
Organiser Daryn Carter said: “2013 was our biggest year yet and we’re expecting record numbers this year with an amazing line up for both Pride Day and Night, which are a real coup for Bristol. We’ve created something truly special, an exciting and credible festival that uses a range of events to champion and celebrate LGBT talent and culture. We aim to keep building on the success of Pride, putting Bristol on the map and bringing it alive with new talent and award winning acts. We’re creating opportunities for people to celebrate and engage with LGBT arts and the community whilst making a stand against discrimination both here in Bristol and around the world.’’
Over 31,000 people attended Bristol Pride events last year with Blue and Sophie Ellis-Bextor headlining the free festival, which held 17 individual events across the week and had an economic impact of £953,500 to the local economy.
Bristol Pride is a celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community across the South West, but extends much further.
Earlier this year the plight of LGBT people in counties such as Russia were highlighted by the Sochi Winter Olympic Games and this year Bristol Pride has chosen the theme We Are: One as a chance for LGBT people, their friends, families and the whole of the South West to stand up and support gay rights on a global scale by maintaining a proud and visible presence and showing support to communities around the world.
What: Bristol Pride, “We Are: One”
Where: Castle Park, Bristol
When: Saturday, 12 July
Time: 12 noon – 9.30 p.m.
Cost: Entry to Pride Day by donation (£3 suggested) but Pride are offering a £5 day wristband or a day and night pass for £15.
For more information about Bristol Pride, CLICK HERE:
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