Rainbow Flag raised to mark start of Wirral Pride celebrations
The Rainbow Flag has been raised at Wallasey Town Hall to mark the start of Wirral's fifth annual Pride celebration.
Around 5,000 people are expected to attend the festival, which takes place in the Victoria Quarter of New Brighton on Saturday 8 August.
I am proud to see the Rainbow Flag flying above Wallasey Town Hall as a symbol of our commitment to standing alongside the LGBTQ+ community. I look forward to joining residents and visitors in New Brighton for what promises to be another fantastic event, bringing people together in a spirit of friendship, pride and celebration.
The day-long programme of activities and performances starts at 10.30am, when more than 40 community, food and drink, and makers' stalls will open, providing an opportunity for visitors who prefer a quieter experience to browse before the main crowds arrive.
At 12 noon, the centrepiece of the day's events, the Community Muster, will bring people together for a shared moment of celebration, commitment and reflection.
Following the muster, radio presenter Billy Hui will host a packed programme of DJ sets, live music and dance performances throughout the afternoon. Highlights include a performance from Wirral recording artist Mandi Fisher, whose social media following exceeds 1.5 million people, and Birkenhead vocalist Benjamin Gillham, whose impromptu karaoke performance of Nessun Dorma went viral online and has been viewed millions of times worldwide.
A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter will be present on the main stage throughout the day, providing sign language interpretation for performances and announcements to help ensure the event is accessible to as many people as possible.
Free arts and crafts activities for children will be delivered by Tiny Tools for Big Feelings CIC at Riptide on Victoria Road from 10am to 4pm.
A fun dog show, hosted by the People's Animal Welfare Society, will also take place from 12.30pm in the Rightway car park, raising funds to support rescued pets.
This year's Pride is more vital than ever. At a time when visibility, allyship and inclusion continue to matter, Wirral Pride stands as a powerful beacon of love, equality and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
This event is not just a celebration; it is a statement that everyone deserves to be seen, heard and valued for who they are. We are proud to create a space where people can come together, be themselves and celebrate our community.
People attending Wirral Pride are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport where possible. New Brighton railway station is just a five-minute walk from the event site and a range of bus services also serve the area. Journey planning information is available via the Merseytravel website.
A number of road closures and temporary parking restrictions will be in place around Victoria Road between 7am and 7pm. Visitors are advised to follow all temporary traffic signage and to park considerately if travelling by car.
For more information, visit the Wirral Pride website or follow Wirral Pride on Facebook and Instagram.
Entertainment lineup:
12.15pm – DJ Jules (DJ and radio presenter)
12.50pm – Liverpool Rainbow Chorus (community choir)
1.30pm – Richard Sefton (vocalist)
2.10pm – Benjamin Gillham (vocalist)
2.35pm – Matthew Joseph (vocalist)
3.35pm – Electric Disco Thing featuring Jason Dignam (vocalist)
3.55pm – Patrick Saint James (vocalist)
4.35pm – Freedom Dance Studios (dance performance)
5.15pm – Mandi Fisher (recording artist)
6.00pm – Official after-show party at Riptide, Victoria Road
Performance times may be subject to change.
