Lanarkshire’s fourth annual Pride celebration will be held in Hamilton town centre this Saturday, August 1. The free event featuring a busy day of entertainment and stalls will take place on Quarry Street from 10am until 4pm.
March and entertainment details
The day’s focal point of the Pride march will form at the street’s main stage from 1pm and set off on its route round the town from 2pm. Headlining this year’s event will be Cheryl The Queen, who rose to prominence in RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and has gone on to perform across the UK and internationally. She will perform when the march returns to its starting point at 3.15pm.
Community activities and support
Organisers promise “a vibrant day of community activity and LGBTQ+ visibility”, with the event featuring live entertainment, an outdoor bar, market traders, community organisations, information stalls and speeches as well as the march through the town centre. Market stalls will be operating from 10am, and the entertainment programme begins at 11.30am.
The annual event is organised by Lanarkshire Pride CIC, which delivers a year-round programme of activities including Pride Connect, which provides regular social and support opportunities for local LGBTQ+ young people and adults.
Organiser statements
A spokesperson said: “Lanarkshire Pride is always a joyful celebration, but it is also about creating visibility, building understanding and ensuring LGBTQ+ people across Lanarkshire and beyond know they are not alone, particularly during these challenging times.
“We are proud to be a grassroots organisation rooted in the local community. Pride is an important day in the calendar, but its impact reaches far beyond the event itself – the support and momentum generated through Lanarkshire Pride helped us establish Pride Connect.
“We are looking forward to welcoming people from across Lanarkshire and beyond to Hamilton for an event that means a great deal to so many people and continues to help strengthen LGBTQ+ visibility, connection and support across the area.”
Sponsorship and further information
This year’s Lanarkshire Pride is being sponsored by Specsavers Hamilton, and organisers have thanked all “funders, supporters, volunteers and community partners for helping make the event possible”. Event updates and information are available at www.lanarkshirepride.co.uk. For more about Pride Connect, visit the Lanarkshire Pride website and follow Lanarkshire Pride on social media.
