Park celebration ‘Mini Pride’ makes a return with festival day
PRIDE in the Park heads back to Cheltenham this month. The LGBTQIA+ focused event offers a day of live music, family fun, trade stands and a multi-sensory area at Pittville Park from noon on May 15, as part of the county’s Mini Pride Series.
Alongside the Pride event, there will also be a dog show, where all attendees are encouraged to bring along their four-legged friends to show off.
A varied line-up of music artists is headlined by German-based singer and musician MKSM, who has previously lived in Russia and Ukraine.
As a previous winner of the LGBTQ Music Awards’ “newcomer of the year”, MKSM released a new version of John
Lennon’s Imagine to raise funds for Ukraine, saying: “I lived in the Ukraine for eight years and just wanted to take action.”
MKSM will be supported by Gloucestershire drag artist Ravenna Slayshon, with other featured artists including Loki Hughes, Millie & Elsie, Bill, Topaz, Jordan Phillpotts, Rose Churchill, Bambas, Vicky Brinsden and Sophie Kay.
Plenty of food and drink outlets will be on hand to provide refreshments throughout the afternoon, including a main bar and specialist gin and craft ale bar. Food includes a hot roast, stone-baked pizzas and an ice cream van.
Dog owners are encouraged to bring along their furry friends to compete for a variety of prizes in the Pride Dog Show at 2pm, with treats on offers for all dogs taking part. Entry is £2 and there are eight categories, including best dressed, waggiest tail, biggest diva, dog that looks most like its owner, best rescue and best veteran.
The top three in each class will get a rosette and each class winner receives a trophy and will be entered into the Best in Show class.
Take along your wallets because there will be plenty of opportunities to splash the cash at the trade stands, offering clothes, perfume, crafts, crystals and bakes.
Gloucestershire Police and the fire service will have community stands at the event, alongside the RSPB, The Dogs Trust, Honour Thy Women Group, You’re Welcome, Gloucestershire, the Eddystone Trust and the LGBT+ Partnership.