Doncaster Pride is the host for UK Pride celebrations

Posted by author August 10, 2024 Football

Doncaster Pride/Wayne Sables Outdoor music stage with Doncaster Pride banner across the top — Doncaster Pride will be at the centre UK Pride celebrations for 2024

Doncaster will take centre stage later as it hosts the UK Pride 2024 celebrations.

The city won the honour after its bid was judged the best by members of the Pride UK Organisers Network.

Organisers said to have been chosen as hosts was “so special”.

The festival, which has moved from Elmfield Park to Town Fields, is a celebration of LGBTQ+ communities but the event is free and open to all.

One of the founders and organisers of Doncaster Pride, Jenny Dewsnap said she was thrilled the event had been chosen as the host of UK Pride:

“I think it means so much because you’re chosen by your peers.

“We’ve been selected by other people who organise Prides up and down the UK and they chose Doncaster.

“I think that’s why it’s so special.”

Jenny Dewsnap said hosting the UK Pride meant a great deal given they had been chosen by organisers of similar events across the country

Doncaster Pride/Wayne Sables Woman with short blonde hair and glasses on stage with a microphone — Jenny Dewsnap said hosting the UK Pride meant a great deal given they had been chosen by organisers of similar events across the country

Doncaster Pride traditionally begins with a Parade of Unity through the city centre.

The route for 2024 starts at 10:30 BST at Duke Street, then along St Sepulchre Gate, High Street, Hall Gate, South Parade and ending at Bennetthorpe, next to the main site.

Headliners for the main Union Pride Stage at Town Fields are Queenz, a drag act performing covers of artists like Whitney Houston, Britney Spears and the Spice Girls.

The headline act on the City Stage, which features local performers, is Stars, lead singer of Doncaster band, Bang Bang Romeo and now a solo recording artist.

Events begin with a Parade of Unity through the city centre.

Doncaster Pride/Malcolm Johnston People holding a long rainbow flag stretched horizontally between them as they parade through a Doncaster street — Events begin with a Parade of Unity through the city centre.

Organisers estimate around 18,000 people attended Doncaster Pride in 2023.

For 2024, Doncaster Pride has moved to Town Fields which organisers say provides a more suitable layout which can be more easily fenced and secured.

For the first time ever, it will have a Youth Pride section for under-18s, providing information on health and wellbeing.

Another new feature is the Cabaret Marquee staging drag act performances in the evening for an adult only audience.

Jenny Dewsnap said everyone is welcome: “There’s still a campaigning part of Pride, there’s still an educational part of Pride so that people really understand we’re really not that different.

“We’re just human beings. Our sexuality might be different but we’re all human beings.

“The thing about Pride is, it’s there for everyone.”

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