Virtual Northampton Pride Festival to celebrate diversity this weekend

Last year Pride was bursting with colour and smiles in Northampton's Market Square.

Northampton’s LGBTQ and Allies Forum, Northampton Pride Committee and Grosvenor Shopping Northampton are encouraging residents to enjoy a social distanced Virtual Pride Festival on Saturday, 18 July and a motivational campaign across town celebrating LGBTQ community for the month of July.

The Virtual Pride Festival will feature performances from local bands and artists including Satch, Smashby, Project X, Frettlyst, Peachy Rae and Pure and will be streamed on Northampton Borough Council's Facebook page and YouTube channel on Saturday, 18 July from 2pm.

At 3pm, everyone in Northampton- and beyond - is encouraged to share a video of themselves walking around their home, garden or local park and include the hashtag #VirtualNorthamptonPride and together, all at once, we will march in unity.

Pride-goers were draped in flags and bold colours to celebrate unity. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.

DJs United will bring the day to a grand finale with 11 hours of live-streamed performances. The broadcast will include a pre-after party at 4pm and an after party from 5pm until 3am.

Stories featuring LGBTQ individuals in Northampton are displayed this month as part of a motivational campaign in different locations across town including Grosvenor Shopping Northampton, Olly B’s, Mooch, the One Stop Shop at the Guildhall, Salvation Army, 78 Derngate, Cordwainer and Lush.

Councillor Anna King, Cabinet member for community engagement and safety, said: “Northampton Pride is about the people, for the people.

"Even though we won’t be marching through the streets of Northampton this year, this won’t stop us all coming together virtually to support our communities and celebrate diversity from our homes.

“I want to thank everyone who got involved by sending through their stories or videos showcasing the best our community has to offer."