Day for community to come together and celebrate first ever Stafford Pride
It was a day to come together and celebrate equality and inclusion and enjoy a day of fun.
The first ever Stafford Pride event brought thousands of people to the streets of the Staffordshire county town for a colourful day of parades, music and performances.
The festivities on Saturday began at midday at Kingsmead Retail Park and took on a route through the town and along the high street before ending at Victoria Park, where the main festivities were taking place.
Joining the parade were a number of local dignitaries, including the Mayor of Stafford Councillor Frank James and Stone, Great Wyrley, and Penkridge MP Sir Gavin Williamson, who walked together behind a Stafford Pride banner.
Stafford town centre was awash with rainbow stripes and colourful outfits, with people young and old enjoying the colour of the parade, which included drag queens, members of the armed forces and members of the public.
At Victoria Park, there was live music and performances, a funfair, food and drink, and a range of different stalls, with the runner-up of BBC Three's Ru Paul's Drag Race UK, Michael Marouli, headlining the festival as well as performances from The Players, Sonic Boom, and Beyonce Fierce.
Pride chairman Jack Taylor-Walker said: "This is a historic moment in Stafford's history. We have never had a Pride [event] in the town before and it's time for us to celebrate our community.
"The LGBTQ+ Community in Stafford and the surrounding areas have never had a time to celebrate what the community has achieved over the past decades.
"Stafford now will move forward with this annual event and the legacy will reach generations to come."
Oliver Ragg, co-founder and CEO of headline event sponsor TopCashback, said: “This weekend’s event was everything we’d hoped for with great entertainment to celebrate, but also educate.
"Families, friends and our own colleagues all embraced everything the day had to offer, to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community.
“It’s been a real privilege to support the town’s first ever Pride event, having been headquartered in Stafford now for nine years.
"Our sponsorship is testament to our continued efforts to foster inclusivity as well as our commitment to championing the LGBTQIA+ community, not only within our organisation but also within the wider community.
"We hope Stafford Pride will have a long, successful future.”
