Thousands of people gathered in Manchester's Gay Village on Saturday, August 29, for the first Manchester Village Pride, an event created after the company behind Manchester Pride went into voluntary liquidation last year. Despite heavy rain, the celebrations went ahead, with the parade starting just after midday.
Parade Participants and Theme
Representatives from Gay Village businesses supporting the event took part, including Lidl, Tesco, Shelter, Co-op, and Scouts, alongside LGBTQ+ groups and local organisations such as Manchester Sharks, OutdoorLads, the Prairie Dogs, Manchester FrontRunners, Out With Nature, George House Trust, Down Syndrome Manchester, and LGBT Foundation.
This year's parade theme was 'No Place Like Home', a nod to the event returning to its roots in the Village. Revellers embraced the Wizard of Oz theme, with groups dressing as Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow, while others wore full drag outfits of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
Outfits and Tributes
Party-goers heading into the Village wore sequins, rainbows, and cowboy hats, and one dog was spotted wearing sunglasses. Many also paid tribute to Dolly Parton, the queer community icon who died on Tuesday, August 25, at the age of 80.
The city's official Pride celebrations date back to 1985, but this year marks the first Manchester Village Pride. The event saw thousands head to the Gay Village as the party got underway.
