On the eve of the 2011 Winter Pride Festival, Pride is delighted to announce just some of the ways organisations can get involved in the main park event, an event which attracts thousands to the city each year.

Russell Allen, Pride chair commented:
“This is an exciting year in the history of Pride in Brighton & Hove, over the past few months we have faced some tough challenges but with the support of Brighton & Hove City Council and all our partners the future looks bright. We are delighted that this summer events will offer plenty of opportunities for community groups and businesses to get involved in this landmark year. Working with our partners we are developing the foundations for years to come and our focus remains on delivering a safe and enjoyable event which enables us to maximise funds raised for the local LGBT voluntary sector.”

In recent weeks Pride announced the need to implement a fence line at the main park event and make access ticket-only. This strategy was developed following open consultation which began last September and included Pride members, attendees, community groups, local businesses and residents, plus the statutory services. Plans for this year’s event are well underway and as part of the planning process we are looking to hear from organisation’s who are interested in the following opportunities at Preston Park on Saturday August 13, 2011:
 
Hosting the Women’s Performance Tent. This involves working with Pride to programme the line ups to ensure a diverse mix of local and national performers, managing and running the tents on the day and working with Pride and our partners to secure funding.

Hosting the Bears Tent. This involves programming the DJs and performances as well as managing and running the tent on the day and working with Pride and our partners to secure funding.

Hosting the main Dance Tent. This involves programming the DJs and artists to ensure a mix of local, national and headline acts, managing and running the tent on the day as well as working with Pride to secure funding for the 8,000 capacity big top.

Hosting the BME Tent. This involves programming the DJs and artists to ensure a diverse mix of local and national BME performer’s, managing and running the tent on the day and working with Pride and our partners to secure funding.

Pride is looking for expressions of interest from suitably experienced organisations to operate the bars at the park. Run by local company Stagfleet Ltd in 2010 who stepped in to help make the event happen when Pride lost its bars contractor just two months before the event.

Speaking on behalf of Stagfleet, Andrew Roberts says:
"As a long standing supporter of Pride in Brighton & Hove it was fantastic to be able to help Pride last year. Stagfleet, Revenge and RBar are still supporting Pride 2011 and will be fundraising for the charity throughout the year as well as sponsoring the main event. We look forward to continuing our close relationship with Pride”.

Organisations wishing to be considered for the bars contract should send written confirmation containing the following information on a maximum of two sides of A4 (no coloured crayons please):

Your organisations name and trading status:

A summary of relevant experience for this contract:

The name and title of a contact person for your organisation:

Contact address, telephone number(s) and email:

Any additional information about your organisation that you think may be of interest:

Expressions of interest should be submitted by email to office@brightonpride.org by Wednesday March 23, 2011.

Pride’s paid worker Judith Manson commented:
“Pride wishes to thank Stagfleet for their help in 2010 and their continued support, although they will not be operating the bars at Preston Park they are still a sponsor of the event and will continue to support the charity in other ways. The opportunity to develop a new relationship with a bars contractor is exciting and we look forward to working with the successful company in developing this very popular area of the park event”.

Programming a Community Stage, introduced last year the Community Stage was a fantastic addition to the park and a great focal point. Pride is interested to hear from promoters who would like the opportunity to programme and run the stage on the day which could include live bands, community speakers, solo artists, community groups as well as visual performers.

Finally anyone interested in having a market/community stall or food concession should email traders@fisherproductions.co.uk

For more information on all of these opportunities or to talk to Pride about sponsorship, taking part in the Pride Parade or other ways your organisation can be involved please contact Pride's paid worker, Judith Manson, on 01273 775939 or email judith@brightonpride.org

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