Lurgan is the latest Northern Ireland town to announce that it will host its first ever Pride parade.
The Co Armagh town has followed in the footsteps of Ballymena, which announced earlier this week that it will hold the Mid and East Antrim area’s inaugural Pride parade in 2025 in an effort to celebrate “diversity, inclusion and cross-community unity”.
Lurgan Pride 2024 will come around a lot sooner though, as it is set to go ahead next Saturday (October 5).
A parade has been organised for noon that day to start the celebrations and an online fundraiser has been created to help facilitate the activities, which will include family-friendly entertainment, a street festival with food stalls, educational talks and workshops, and live music.
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A spokesperson for the festival said: “Every donation helps as we are entirely volunteer led. We want to build an event that puts LGBTQ+ communities at the heart of our celebrations, standing in solidarity with their struggles and celebrating what they bring to our society.”
Organisers said that there will be a full day of music in Fa Joes’ bar.
Comedian David Doherty-Jebb will MC the day in the town centre, with performances from local artists.
There will also be a Drag Bingo from 4-6pm and an “unforgettable night of glitz and glamour” at the Cellar Bar, both hosted by local drag queen Missy Onya Becks.
This drag cabaret is strictly for 18+ and ticket only. It will run at the Cellar Bar from 8pm on Saturday October 5.
Meanwhile at the Building Bridges Community Arts Theatre, there will be a special event on how the first Pride was a protest. The talk, by Darragh Adelaide, will include information on the origins of LGBTQ+ discrimination and oppression and starts at 4pm.
Lurgan Pride organisers are encouraging potential volunteers and crafters to get in touch via their Facebook page, in order to be involved with the festival next weekend.