Manchester Village Pride concluded its three-day run on Sunday with a sea of multicoloured umbrellas, torrential rain, and a headline set from German Eurodance act Cascada, as more than 30,000 people attended despite thunderstorms.
Rain and Resilience Define the Day
Heavy rain and thunder could not stop the celebrations on the final day of the inaugural Manchester Village Pride. Attendees sheltered under gazebos and venue canopies, while others danced in the open as the downpours left parts of Canal Street under water.
Organisers temporarily halted the music on safety grounds, and Sackville Gardens was closed until Monday due to standing water. Vendors selling Pride-flag coloured umbrellas did a roaring trade as crowds arrived prepared for the volatile weather.
Star-Studded Lineup
The day featured performances from Kate Nash, Big Brovaz & Booty Luv, and Cascada, alongside Manchester legends including DJ Paulette, Misty Chance, and Misha B. Kate Nash drew a huge crowd, with fans singing along to her hit 'Foundations'.
Former Coronation Street actor Adam Rickitt also performed, whipping his top off during his set. Cascada closed the night with hits like 'Everytime We Touch' and 'Evacuate the Dancefloor', as the rain returned and umbrellas bounced to the beat.
New-Look Festival Draws Bigger Crowds
Sunday's attendance of more than 30,000 matched Saturday's numbers and was several thousand higher than last year. The event has been renamed Manchester Village Pride after the previous company behind Manchester Pride went into voluntary liquidation.
Bars and venues in the Gay Village joined forces with Manchester Council and the Equity union to create a Community Interest Company (CIC), which brought the new-look celebration to fruition.
Some attendees said the event felt 'quieter' and 'calmer' than previous years, with organisers attributing this to better crowd management. Others said it felt less 'commercial' and more like it had 'gone back to its roots'.
Community Voices
One attendee, Mark Doyle, described being subjected to homophobic abuse on his way to the event. He said: "It's about being myself and celebrating who we are as a community. I work for Tesco who are one of the sponsors so yesterday I took part in the parade as I have done several times before and it was an amazing experience as always, the weather aside. However on way in someone shouted f****t at me. It just shows how important it still is. We have still got much more to do."
Others said the event showcased the city's Gay Village and LGBTQ+ community, and could help those yet to open up about their sexuality feel confident enough to do so. With several Pride celebrations across the country shut down recently due to lack of financial support, many spoke of their pride in the city for keeping the event going.
