WARRINGTON’S Pride celebrations have been hailed a great success during a powerful display of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
Brought together by various partners including the borough council, Warrington Business Improvement District (BID), Warrington Market, Golden Square, Culture Warrington, Warrington Youth Zone, University of Chester and LiveWire the event involved a packed programme of activities and events across the town centre, which are continuing today, Sunday.
Yesterday, a Pride parade led by Warrington Youth Zone made its way through the town centre, calling at Time Square Warrington, Golden Square Warrington, New At Spaces, Warrington Market and Radio Warrington.
Following on from a host of activities in the town centre at Time Square and Warrington Market the Grand Finale of the day’s activities took place at Golden Square with a “Sell-out” free performance called ‘Glitter,’ a celebration of Warrington Pride, featuring Fleur East, Crystal (Ru Paul Drag Race) DJ set, an Aerial display and MX World Set, creating a party atmosphere
Commenting on the event Warrington BID Manager Andrea Morley said: “Wow! I woke up this morning feeling proud of what Warrington achieved yesterday!
“Earlier this year partners across our town centre started to talk about how we could deliver a #pride celebration that works for Warrington. There has been a lot of hard work, ideas, discussions and in some cases negotiations to make this happen.
“Our town centre and Warrington business community came together to communicate the same message, and over the last week a variety of businesses, groups and individuals have all done their bit to support the delivery of a safe and fun Pride event for Warrington.
“Thank you to everyone involved…we smashed it!”
Prior to the event Cllr Tom Jennings, the borough council’s cabinet member for economic development and innovation, said: “Celebrating Pride sends a strong message that love is love and that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and equality.
“It is not only a powerful display of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, but a vibrant and inclusive space showcasing talent from across the arts, encouraging dialogue and understanding, and celebrating the achievements and resilience of those who have fought for the rights and freedoms enjoyed today.”
Plans will soon be underway for next year’s event!
