Nottinghamshire Pride – Saturday 28 July 11am – 6pm
Nottingham City Centre will be awash with colour and wrapped in rainbow flags this Saturday as Nottinghamshire Pride takes place in the city.
Thousands of people will fill the streets for the annual celebration that mixes serious issues for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) community with one of the best parties celebrating the diversity of our city. The theme this year is ‘Love has no Labels.’
The pride parade for the first time will be led by Nottingham City Council, alongside the NHS, as part of the 70th birthday celebrations; leading 7,000 people through the streets of Nottingham along with members of Nottingham City Council’s LGBT Employee Network and City Council colleagues flanked by two council vehicles.
The Sheriff of Nottingham, Councillor Catherine Arnold, will officially open the event. Councillor Arnold said: “I’m really looking forward to opening this year’s Pride. Now more than ever we must stand up for tolerance, diversity, and the LGBTQ community. Nottingham is so proud of our beautifully diverse LGBTQ+ residents and I’m excited to be celebrating with them on 28 July.”
The Pride parade will be led by Nottingham City Council, with Sheriff Councillor Cat Arnold leading 7000 people through the streets of Nottingham along with members of Nottingham City Council’s LGBT staff network.
Starting off at Castle Gate at 11am, the parade will process along Wheeler Gate, to Old Market Square, Clumber Street and Parliament Street before arriving at Broad Street for the start of the festivities.
As always, the Pride parade is totally free to take part in and everybody is welcome to take part in the parade, spectate or simply enjoy the fun.
Immediately following the parade, the Sheriff of Nottingham will give a speech at 12.15pm on the main stage in Carlton Street. An entertainment programme will follow on the main stage up to 6pm and there will also be over 40 stalls to browse on Broad Street and Heathcoat Street.
Entry is free for the parade, stalls and entertainment.
“We are keen to support events that bring more people into the city centre as it benefits our members and creates a real buzz,” said Andy Crawford, a director Nottingham BID. “We hope that Nottinghamshire Pride is a great success for everyone involved.”
The It’s in Nottingham glitter tent pops up on St Peter’s Square on the morning of Pride, and again in Hockley later in the day, so people can put the finishing touches to their outfit with free bio-degradable glitter (make-up artists on hand to apply).
Leigh Ellis, chair of Nottinghamshire Pride, said: “Pride is a great day out, something that the whole family can enjoy, with a really friendly, colourful and accepting atmosphere. We would thoroughly recommend it for anyone who supports diversity and wants to celebrate it in our city.
“Thanks as always goes to Nottingham City Council for allowing the event to take place in an area so central and accessible to our community. Keep your eyes peeled for the celebration Pride banner across the Council House in the Old Market Square.”
Pride stage line up
1215 Sheriff of Nottingham (Speech)
1230 Michaela Weeks – Britney Spears Tribute
1300 The Scream Queens
1330 Amrick Channa (The Voice/X Factor)
1400 Tash Bird
1430 Nicki French
1500 Kitty Tray
1600 Intro from Charity Shop Sue
1600 Toyah Willcox
1630 Rob Green
1700 The Half Eight
1730 Titty Bon Bon
1800 Co-op Arts Theatre Group