Virtual Pride Blackpool
29 May 2020
by Visit Blackpool
Pride Blackpool 2020 was due to take place over the weekend of June 5th and 6th on the Tower Headlands.
In partnership with VisitBlackpool, the resort was to play host to 80’s and 90’s legends Marc Almond and Right Said Fred, as well as the sensational Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters. In addition, as well as the famous Pride Blackpool Parade, a full day of entertainment was planned for our sensational local and visiting talent to celebrate Pride in Blackpool.
Pride in Blackpool has been a staple date in the resort’s calendar since 2006, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the town to celebrate the equality and acceptance that Blackpool is famous for. Sadly, due to the current pandemic, the Pride Blackpool Committee took the very difficult decision to cancel this year’s event. A spokesperson for the committee said at the time “It is hugely disappointing to have to cancel this year’s event, especially as there was a fantastic line-up of international talent for this year’s festival.”
The moment the announcement was released on social media, there was a barrage of disappointment from both the local community and those that attend the event every year from far and wide. It became clear to the committee that the date could not be left unmarked.
Pride Chairperson, Craig Coleman, said, ”The committee agreed that we had to mark Pride in Blackpool in some way. When we all saw the amazing work that our local LGBTQ+ Charity were doing to support those left extremely vulnerable due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, right here on our own doorstep, we decided we needed to step in.”
Virtual Pride Blackpool will be streamed live from the Pride Blackpool Facebook page and website on Saturday the 6th of June 2020, from 12.45 until 4pm. Beginning with a virtual Pride Parade and featuring a mass of our own home grown talent, Pride Blackpool Supporters and some surprise guests throughout the afternoon, all who have given their time for free in order to raise money to support our local LGBTQ+ service here in Blackpool.
The event is free to watch, however we are encouraging those that can afford to, to donate, whatever they can to support HORIZON LGBTQ+ at Renaissance UK by going to Virgin Money fundraising.