Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
THOUSANDS PACK PARK FOR PRIDE FESTIVAL
Thousands of rainbow-clad revellers descended on the city for a colourful celebration of the LGBTQ+ community on Saturday.
Pride Canterbury - the city’s first large-scale event for more than 18 months - was hailed a huge success by organisers, who say support from the community was “incredible”.
Families, couples and groups of friends of all ages gathered along the high street to watch the carnival-style parade - the biggest in the event’s history.
The procession led festivalgoers to Dane John Gardens, where a diverse schedule of entertainment ran all day.
Headlining was boyband 5ive, with support from leading drag acts including Cheryl Hole and Baga Chipz.
The festival’s marketing and sponsorship director, Jon Fitter-harding, says the event was “just amazing”.
“It far exceeded everything the committee had predicted,” he said. “We always knew there would be fewer numbers because people are still cautious of large-scale events, but seeing the queue all along the wall at the top of the Dane John Gardens was incredible. It felt like a level of normality had returned, and the park was its colourful, busy self.
“And even the sun came out, which wasn’t predicted.”
About 16,000 people attended, with the large turnout thought to be partly due to the cancellation of London Pride.
Mr Fitter-harding continued: “The highlight for me was just seeing how much support the LGBTQ+ community has in Canterbury. It’s a testament to the city how many ‘straight allies’ came along.”
This year’s event - the 5th Canterbury Pride - had a more family-friendly focus, with inflatables, face-painting and storytelling on offer.
“Our USP is how familyfriendly the event is,” dad-oftwo Mr Fitter-harding added.
“Seeing the families and all their smiling faces, and seeing the community coming together was just amazing.”
Preparations are already underway for next year’s Canterbury Pride, which is expected to return to its usual time of year in June.