Following on from its inaugural event this year, Pride Torbay will return next June.
 
In response to feedback from questionnaires carried out during the first Pride Torbay, which was held in July of this year, it has been decided that next year’s event will be held a month earlier when hotels and businesses are quieter. The festival will run from Friday, June 11 to Sunday June 13 and will feature a central Saturday event held in Hollicombe Park as well as a “Rainbow Walk” to the site from Torquay Harbour .
 
Matt Newbury, Pride Torbay chairman, said:
“We didn’t think it would be sensible to do a big park party in the first year, so instead put together a programme of several smaller events, all of which were very well attended and many even selling out. This has given us the confidence to grow the event and with this in mind, we will have a fantastic Saturday afternoon event in Hollicombe Park , which is the perfect venue and even has access to a beach – not many pride events around the world can claim that!"
 
The park party will feature a cabaret stage, a bar tent, a festival village of community and commercial stalls, smaller funfair rides, family area and additional entertainment. Other events over the weekend will include club nights, a boat party aboard the Fairmile and several arts and culture events. Organisers have also hinted at a “totally unique and unbelievably exciting” event taking place on the Sunday afternoon of the festival. The event will once again raise money for Rowcroft Hospice and Eddystone Trust.
 
Sarah Wighton, Pride Torbay secretary said:
“We believe that Pride Torbay could develop into the biggest gay pride event outside of the larger UK cities, showing that we welcome LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) visitors not only during the festival but for the rest of the year as well. Not only is the event fantastic for the local LGBT community and their friends and family, but for tourism as well!"
 
To volunteer or offer support email: info@pridetorbay.org

For more information view:
www.pridetorbay.org