Bolton Pride celebration in Victoria Square this weekend

Festivities kicked off around 11am in sunny Victoria Square and lasted all day until the 10.30pm finish.

There were stalls, singalongs, drag shows, and drinks for the public to enjoy as they celebrated the event, as well as plenty of glitter.

Organiser Kev Wright (left) with volunteer Phillip Jones (Image: Dan Dougherty)

But it wasn’t all just for fun, as the organisers wanted to ensure they emphasised the important role Pride events play in supporting marginalised local communities.

Organiser Kev Wright said: “It’s been a good day so far – the sun’s with us!

“I think events like this are very important for the community, especially with the rise of certain brands of politics.

“It’s more and more important that we have events like this to maintain our voices in the area, because there is a dark side of things where people are afraid they can’t be who they want to be.”

Sophie (left) and Anna (Image: Dan Dougherty)

After five years as Bolton Pride‘s main organiser, Kev will be stepping down at the end of this event, due to mounting struggles with funding.

But there are other people in the wings ready to take over, who share his enthusiasm for what they all believe is the event’s vitally important function.

“It’s been a great five years,” said Kev, “a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and I’ve really enjoyed being a part of it.”

Chris Garvey (left) and Peter Gallagher (Image: Dan Dougherty)

Elsewhere, revellers young and old were eating and watching the shows, while basking in the Spring sunshine.

For partners Chris Garvey and Peter Gallagher, the Bolton Festival was only the start of their ‘yearly pride tour’.

“Yes, we’re having a good time,” said Chris, “we’ve only just got here,” when they spoke to the Bolton News at around midday.

The pair had set up two folding chairs next to a stall so they could bask in the heat while watching the action.

Representatives from the Bolton Octagon (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“We go to all the pride events in the North West – we’ve got Bury next week, then Wigan.

“The local pride events are our favourites, because they’re all about showing support for a particular local community.

“This is only the start of our annual pride tour!”

As well as food and drinks, there were a number of stalls dotted around the event offering support and advice.

Reverend Michaila Roberts (Image: Dan Dougherty)

One such was the group from Eucharist for Bolton Pride, a set of local churches offering safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people who might feel unwelcome in a regular church.

Reverend Michaila Roberts from Bolton Parish Church said: “We ran a service at 7pm at Bolton Parish Church.

“It’s a safe space to welcome people who aren’t often welcome at churches.

“We are here to support them, to celebrate God’s incredible creativity, and to tell people that they are loved just the way they are.”

(Image: Dan Dougherty)

Members of The Village Church were also there, an LGBTQ+ church organisation that holds bi-weekly worship meetings at the LGBT Foundation in Fairburn House, Manchester.

There were several groups that were vital in funding the event, including Bolton School, Seddon, Cardwell’s Estate Agents, University of Greater Manchester, and many others.

The team also wanted to thank all the stallholders, and all the volunteers, without whom the event would not have been possible.