After close consultation with the city’s LGBTQ+ community, Manchester Village Pride CIC has announced the theme for the return of the iconic Pride parade:
‘No Place Like Home’.
Adopting a key line from The Wizard of Oz, the theme offers the opportunity for community groups to celebrate a homecoming and safe landing for Pride in the city after recent uncertainties, as well as a chance to honour the city of Manchester itself as a welcoming and safe place for all.
The parade will take place on Saturday 29th August and will work its way through the city via a route – still to be determined – that will conclude in the Village; the place where Pride began in Manchester four decades ago.
Announcing the theme, Carl Austin-Behan, one of the founding board members and spokesperson for Manchester Village Pride CIC, said: “The parade is one of the most important and iconic events during Pride Weekend in Manchester. It’s a time for the community to come together with people from all walks of life to celebrate, listen, and show visibility for LGBTQ+ life in Manchester and beyond.
‘No Place Like Home’ is a very apt theme for this year, allowing us to pay tribute to Pride’s roots in the Village; the home of our amazing community and everything that Manchester Village Pride stands for – from our LGBTQ+ businesses and charities to performers and patrons. I can’t wait to see how the community responds and interprets the theme, as I think there is so much to go on!
“The parade is one of the cornerstone elements of the weekend, alongside the poignant Candlelit Vigil, that we want as many people as possible to attend.
“Both elements are, and always will be, free to attend; however, we do ask that those who would like to enjoy the wider celebrations – including the party and performances in the Village – purchase a weekend wristband or individual day pass to ensure that funding goes towards safe event delivery, as well as supporting LGBTQ+ charities, grassroots organisations, and vital community services.
“With it being our first Manchester Village Pride event under transparent management, we also need to be clear with people that we need them to make their commitment as early as possible by purchasing their wristband or day passes. This will ensure that we can lock in LGBTQ+ talent and make sure event planning is smoothly and fairly financed – the success of Manchester Village Pride is in the community’s hands, and now is the time to show up!”
This year’s parade would not be able go ahead without the unwavering support from Manchester City Council.
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:"Pride is such an important event for our city, and after concerns over its future, it's great that it's firmly back on the calendar.
"The phrase 'No Place Like Home' has added resonance this year after the event was saved for the city by Manchester Village Pride CIC and its supporters, including the Council. We are proud to have played our part, including funding the popular parade element that people know and love.
"Pride is more than just an annual boost for our city's hospitality sector, as significant as this. It's a celebration of Manchester's LGBTQ+ community; an event which has been part of the fabric of the city for more than 40 years."
Manchester Village Pride CIC has opened applications for those who are interested in taking part in the parade on the day. In support of the local community, free entry will be offered to all LGBTQ+ charities and grassroots groups, whilst commercial entries will be required to pay an entry fee to help subsidise the costs for community entries.
Parade applications
Applications to take part in the parade can be made via Jotform.
Wristbands and day passes
Manchester Village Pride wristbands and passes are now on sale at via Skiddle.
Master Jotform:
https://form.jotform.com/260613336913050
This covers -
- Volunteering
- Artist
- Career tickets
- Parade application
- Sponsorship
- Community lane - markets and expo
- Photographer
- Festival jobs
- Media/press
- Drink/bar concessions
- Services
- Other