Chester: More than 11,000 attend annual Pride parade

The brightly coloured procession carried with it an important message of diversity and acceptance, at a time where the community is increasingly under attack, as shown by the tragic murder earlier this year of young trans woman Brianna Ghey in nearby Warrington and very recently the stabbing of two gay men outside a popular London LGBTQ safe space venue.

The parade set off from Castle Square towards Town Hall Square at noon and made its way through the city, being greeted by cheering crowds.

Earlier this year it was uncertain whether the event would go ahead due to rising costs and the loss of several potential funding streams post-pandemic, but after a stellar effort by the managing committee this year's Pride turned out to be one of the event's best years yet.

Over 11,600 people were in attendance and enjoyed offerings such as the M&S Bank-sponsored mainstage packed full of local and international talent such as The Proud Marys (Chester's LGBTQ+ choir), Sami Brookes, Gareth Gates, and headline boy band A1 who entertained people along with drag and burlesque acts in the Glitter Lounge and Runway stage.

Crowds gathered at the Main Stage in Castle Square. (Image: Chester Pride)

The Main Stage also saw tribute acts: Making it Madonna, True Colours - Cyndi Lauper and Luke Hingley's Michael Bublé.

Also featuring on the Main Stage were Night, Lee Anthony, Miss Penny, Trixie Lee and Sami Brookes. British Sign Language assistance was provided by interpreter, Sean.

The health and well-being zone also returned to the event and was packed full of information from services and charities in the local area. A much larger youth zone also showcased free entertainment and offerings including the family fun fair thanks to Bank of America, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Coleg Cambria.

Chester Pride Chair Warren Lee paid thanks to the hard-working team who produced the event on a voluntary basis.

He said: "This year's event was definitely a challenging one in terms of finances, with rising costs and uncertainty within the events industry which is still being felt in the aftermath of Covid. We have had a tough 5 years, but this year's event has felt like we have turned a corner.

A host of acts delighted the crowds including A1 and Gareth Gates. (Image: Chester Pride.)

"Last year's opening of the Rainbow Tea Rooms on Bridge Street has given us an all-year-round presence, but our main event is seen as an important staple in the community and in the city's calendar of activities. We had to make a tough decision this year to become a ticketed event, but on the whole, it has been met with support from the community who understand why we had to do this, we are already planning for 2024 and have a few things we'd like to add, change, or improve on which we’ll soon release our feedback form for people to help us."

The event was sponsored by a host of local and international brands and organisations including: Skyes Holiday Cottages, NHS Cheshire and Wirral Partnership , Bed Student Rentals, University of Chester, CO-OP, Atlas Copco, DTCC, Cheshire Fire and Rescue, Stena Line, Printworks Chester, HMP Berwyn, Popcorn, Nandos, White Oak, North Light, Liverpool Arms.

The event thanked the residents, businesses and and the city of Chester for its "overwhelming support" for Chester Pride that "not only celebrates the local LGBT+ community but showcases our fantastic city" which was "busy from morning to night with people using the amazing businesses, services and transport networks."

Further information about next year's event, including ticketing, is available via: www.chesterpride.co.uk/.