Maidstone Pride Line Up Announced........

14th Jun - 23rd Jun

The Maidstone Pride committee is pleased to release the extended line-up for Maidstone’s first Pride event on Saturday, June 22.

The family-friendly LGBTQ+ celebration, which is set to become an annual event, will commence in the town centre and organisers want to see everyone enjoy themselves. Organised by a non-profit organisation and committee driven by the local young LGBTQ+ community, it will begin with a parade starting at noon from County Hall, along Week Street to Jubilee Square, culminating in a celebration party at Lockmeadow from 2pm to 6pm.

The parade is free but will be ticketed, which are available now on the Maidstone Pride website here https://maidstonepride.co.uk/

Previous announced acts headlining the party at Lockmeadow - Julie Glitter and The Madame (of MuMus) - will now be joined by local vocalists/artists, R.Y.A.N, Mazza, and Crimson. Following on, will be a Queerlesque performer Sebbastian Angelique, plus Drag Queens, Sophia Stardust and Lucie Lastica.

There will also be stalls to celebrate Pride including the Gay Glass Stall, selling hand-made glass items to represent inclusion; Salamander will be showcasing a variety of clothes and trinkets, while Dead Bunny Creations will be selling handmade jewellery with Brain Magnet selling rainbow crochet and prints. Maidstone Pride will also have its own stall selling official merchandise to mark the first year.

Committee member Tess Salawa-Adams said, “All the businesses that I approached were all really enthusiastic to be a part of Maidstone Pride, whether queer owned or allies - we had so many businesses wanting to be involved, which is good because we’ll be able to grow bigger next year due to the overwhelming support we’ve received this year.”

Included in the stallholders will be charity and health stalls from local organisations including MIND and the Blackthorn Trust, both representing mental health awareness.

A selection of street food vendors from Love Food at Lockmeadow will be available.

To finish off the night, the Hazlitt Theatre in Earl Street will be hosting an evening of Cabaret performances, karaoke, live music, a charity raffle for a chance to win a ticket to the Dazzling Diamonds Drag Show and many more surprises.