'More important than ever': Bolton celebrates tenth annual Pride festival
The rainbow flags were out in force today (Saturday May 24) as Bolton celebrated its 10th annual Pride festival.
Celebrations kicked off at 11am, when the pride parade set off from the university campus and made its way to Victoria Square in the town centre, where the stage was set for a day of performances.
Leading the crowds was festival organiser and director of Bolton Pride Kev Wright. He said that the 'region was buzzing' for the event.
The Bolton Pride parade preparing to leave the university campus (Image: The Bolton News)He told the Bolton News: 'It's really important that we continue to deliver this message of unity and acceptance.
'It's called Bolton Pride for a reason.
READ MORE: Bolton Pride celebrates tenth anniversary this weekend
Why Pride is so important
"The 'pride' part is Bolton's pride, it's not just LGBT, it's not about being gay, it's about pride in where you live and that you live in a town where you accept all people of all cultures, faiths and sexual orientation.'
As the parade made its way through the streets, which had been lined with rainbow bunting for the occasion, there was a lot of support from passers-by, who were beeping their car horns in support.
Bolton's deputy mayor Cllr Andy Morgan led the parade along with Mona Moans. (Image: The Bolton News) Helping to create a carnival atmosphere were members of local dance groups, as well as representatives from the university and the LGBT group of Unison's Bolton branch. Bolton's deputy mayor Cllr Andy Morgan also joined the parade alongside festival host Mona Moans.
People from all walks of life were in town to support the event.
Students Khiara, 22 and, Katherine, 18, who are both study special effect make-up, were happy to see that the event was so inclusive, with children also taking part.
Katherine said: 'This is my first pride and to me it's just a time to be inclusive and to accept people, where you can all celebrate and be happy about who we are or who we love, who we choose to love and even who we don't love. That's totally fine and acceptable.'
Katherine and Khiara are students at the University of Bolton. They said it was great to see how inclusive the event is. (Image: The Bolton News) Jessie, 19, who was at Pride with their friend Eileen, said: 'It shows we're here and we're not just some invisible force that people can get rid of and no one's going to mind.'
Elieen, 19, added: 'This is my first pride event. I think in the current climate these are more important than ever with how everything is turning around the globe. Particularly with certain governments, like Trump.'
Cllr Kate Taylor, who was volunteering at the event, said: 'I think it's really important that we support this community, especially with what's going on currently, nationally and internationally. I think we really need to stand up for our LGBTQ community, particularly in Bolton. They are not always made to feel welcome. But I think if we put something on like this, we really showing our support for them.'
Bolton Pride parade 2025 arriving in the town centre. (Image: The Bolton News) Paula Adrianne, 56, had travelled from Brighouse to attend Bolton Pride. She makes a point of visiting Pride events around the country whenever she can.
She said: 'For every person like me that you see visible on the street, there will be another person hiding away, aware of who they are and what they are but too scared to do anything about it. What I'm trying to do is show that scared kid that's hiding themself away, that it is ok to be yourself, to come out, to live your life how you want to live it.'
Bolton Pride continues tomorrow (May 25) from 11am to 5:30pm at Victoria Square.
Sunday, will have more of a relaxed atmosphere, with a range of activities include Prideoke, raffles and games
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