August 27, 2019 5.57 pm This story is over 55 months old

Organisers hope Lincoln Pride parade will return next year

The 2019 event is just a month away

Photo: Steve Smailes / The Lincolnite

Organisers hope Lincoln Pride’s parade could return next year with talks already underway regarding the 2020 event, just a month before the 2019 extravaganza begins at a new venue.

As previously reported, the new location— the Arboretum park off Monks Road — will be decked out in rainbow colours from 11am until 7pm Saturday, September 28 after the free event outgrew the Brayford waterfront, where it was hosted for three years.

People were left disappointed with the news that there will be no parade at this year’s event. The timescale of the venue being confirmed did not allow for sufficient time to arrange the necessary road closures needed for the city centre parade.

Lincoln Pride’s head of safety is already in talks with all the relevant stakeholders, including the city council and others, regarding next year’s event and the parade.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincoln Pride spokesperson Connor Roberts said: “We are delighted to be returning to Lincoln for the eighth Lincoln Pride and can’t wait for the fun to begin.

“We have a new venue this year as our previous one, on the Brayford waterfront, was proving too small for the large numbers who come along, so we have spent the last few months sourcing a new location for the event.

“The Arboretum is the perfect venue and we would like to thank City of Lincoln Council for allowing us to use the site and helping us obtain the permissions required to hold our event there. Lincoln Pride is a family friendly event and we encourage everyone to come along, join in and help make it a fantastic, inclusive day.”

The event, which has been running in Lincoln since 2012, celebrates the diverse LGBTQ+ culture in the city, the county and across the East Midlands.

The 2019 event will include stall holders and entertainment with live music. Mayor of Lincoln, city councillor Sue Burke, will officially open the main stage at 12pm.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Connor added: “With the new venue being secured relatively close to the event date, there is insufficient time for us to work with the necessary stakeholders to arrange the road closures that would allow a city centre parade to take place of this magnitude.

“These closures are essential to ensuring the absolute safety of all involved. We fully understand that marching in a parade is an important aspect in the history of Pride celebrations, but time has got the better of us for this year. However, we encourage everyone to show their support and colours with us on the day at the Arboretum.

“I am pleased to confirm that our head of safety is already in talks regarding the 2020 event and parade!”

Lincoln Pride will return to the city in September.

Angela Andrews, City of Lincoln Council Chief Executive, said: “We are proud to have been able to help the organisers locate and access a new venue for this year’s event.

“Lincoln Pride will promote awareness of equality and diversity and encourage everyone in the city to feel valued and respected for being themselves.

“Lincoln has an active LGBTQ+ community which contributes significantly to making the city a diverse, inclusive and welcoming place to be and we are proud to help enable this to celebrated in one Lincoln’s magnificent green spaces.”

The Lincoln Pride Committee is still in the process of finalising a headline act.