Rainbow flags at the ready - all you need to know about this year’s Pride
PARADE AND PARK PARTY TO RETURN WITH DJS AND FAIR
THERE is less than a month to go until Leicester Pride - one of the largest, free LGBT+ festivals in the UK.
Following a colourful parade through the city centre, the event will take place at Victoria Park on Saturday, September 4.
Organisers have revealed details of the parade route and entertainment line-up. You’ll be able to enjoy fun fair rides, live music performances and DJs - including a headline set by Woody Cook.
Talking about this year’s event, organisers said: “We’re so happy to invite you all back to Victoria Park, with a stellar line-up on the main stage, a wonderfully informed sexual health team, and a fully represented scene to incorporate everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality or ethnicity.”
The parade will begin outside Curve theatre at noon. It will head through the city along Humberstone Gate and High Street before heading into The Lanes.
The route then goes along Market Street and New Walk, finishing at the festival site in Victoria Park at 1pm. The line-up of acts includes Woody - the son of Zoe Ball and Norman “Fatboy Slim” Cook - who will be closing the main stage at the event.
Woody, who may be known to many from featuring on Celebrity Gogglebox, DJs across the country with his label Truth Tribe, and is passionate about mental health, sexuality, race and environmental issues. He has recently done a talk at Cambridge University on mental health and unity.
The Dolly Show will give you the chance to enjoy West End star Kelly O’Brien as country legend Dolly Parton. She has appeared on BBC One and was voted the UK’s best Dolly Parton impersonator by the Agents Association of Great Britain.
Jax Hall will bring her Inspired By Adele show, packed full of the greatest hits from Adele’s albums 19, 21, 25 and 30. Stacey Lou, meanwhile, will present AMY x A Tribute, inspired by Amy Winehouse.
Also taking to the stage will be Leicester drag queen Missie Jay, and singer Andrea Kenny, who was formerly frontwoman for Leicester gypsy/folk band The Brandy Thieves.
Master of ceremonies for the event will again be Lea Martin, who will be joined by fellow hosts, award-winning drag queen Marty Smith and former members of boy band Union J, Jaymi Hensley and George Shelley.
Other DJs on the decks include Just Craig, who will be making his Leicester Pride debut from 2pm, followed by Simon Harris at 3pm, and Soriah and Robbie at 4pm.
The final act in the DJ tent will be Andy Smith at 5pm, before Soriah and Robbie perform on the main stage at 6pm.
Woody Cook will give the headline performance at 7pm.
Leicester Pride’s market and community stalls will offer everything from rainbow flags to jewellery and clothes. You’ll be able to get your face painted, and pick up something to eat from one of the food outlets. A bar will also be open at the event.
Trade Sexual Health Marquee, the LGBT Centre and the Fostering and Adoption Agency will all be there to offer advice and information.
Billy Bates Fun Fair will be there, with plenty of attractions for thrillseekers as well as smaller rides for all of the family to enjoy.
Billy and his family have supported Leicester Pride since 2009.
The event site is glass-free, so no glass bottles, alcohol or containers will be allowed on the site. During the parade you cannot drink alcohol as most of the city streets are alcohol-free areas.
The security team will be operating Challenge 25 throughout the day, so attendees should take identification with them.
Bag searches will be carried out on entry, with no alcohol, no sharps, no drugs and no glass allowed.
Leicester Pride will run from noon until 8pm. Entrance is free.