Kendal Pride set to paint the town rainbow

Kendal Pride will bring a splash of colour to the auld grey town this weekend.

The now annual event – billed as ‘pride done differently’ – will take over the Cumbrian town for its third year from Friday June 13 to Sunday 15, offering a host of activities for people of all ages.

Key elements of the festival include the Pride Village at Abbot Hall, the Big Pride Party at Bowness Bay Brewery, both on Saturday, and a special Celebration Vigil on Sunday afternoon, alongside a packed programme of events.

Jamie Hooper, chair of the organising group, said: “This year our theme is ‘together for everyone, no exceptions,’ and we know that pride is all the more important now, when the rights of LGBTQIA+ people are being stripped back in the UK, and continue to be under attack globally.

“We hope that the queer community, plus our allies, will come out in force to stand together and celebrate who we are across the weekend.”

The Pride Village will take place at Abbot Hall on Saturday 14 from 12 noon to 6pm and will feature a range of stalls, entertainment, and family activities from Ragtag Arts.

Kendal Pride has also teamed up with Animal Rescue Cumbria for the second year, to bring visitors the Proud Pooches Dog Show at the Pride Village from 2-3pm. Plus, there will be free walks, cycles, runs and open water swims across the whole weekend.

The ‘Big Pride Party’ will also return to Bowness Brewery and The Barrel House on Saturday evening, with an opportunity for festival-goers to dance the night away and with performances from drag queen Miss Gendered and drag king Andi Blewitt, plus many more.

And on Sunday, there’ll be talks at Abbot Hall including Anti Racist Cumbria, menopause information and LGBTQ+ parenting, plus a special Celebration Vigil including choir South Lakes Acapella at 1.30pm.

Funders include Kendal Town Council, Kendal Bid and the National Lottery Community Fund, plus Kendal Pride is being made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors the Westmorland Family, Herdy, Douglass Grange accountants, TryBooking and Klean Kanteen.

Tickets for Kendal Pride’s Big Pride Party are on sale now priced at £20 per person.