Date announced Exeter Pride 2016
THE biggest free celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities in the county, it will take place on Saturday, May 7.
The eighth annual event will include a rainbow flag parade from the St Sidwell Centre down Exeter High Street to Exeter Phoenix, Exeter Library and Rougemont Gardens, where a packed programme of activities will await.
Last year more than 2,000 people attended Exeter Pride and those taking part in the parade included community groups, firefighters, police, students, trade union and business LGBT groups plus individuals.
The parade also included roller skaters, Street Heat samba band, circus skill performers, a fire engine, Morris dancers and volunteers carrying a 50-metre rainbow flag.
Those who support Exeter's LGBT communities are invited to join in the parade.
The events and activities at Exeter Phoenix next year will be family-friendly and include activities for children, young people and adults.
For the first time last year, there was a bigger Pride Marketplace, which included dozens of stalls from various organisations, which was held in Rougemont Gardens.
Plans for the 2016 event include a heath zone, ceilidh, workshops, panel debate, drumming circle, trans workshop and many other activities.
There will be information from local and national organisations, demonstrations, as well as fun activities.
Evening events will include live music from many popular local bands and DJs will round off the evening.
Last year Exeter Pride received National Lottery funding to help stage the event and the organisation also became a registered charity.
In addition, principal supporters were Devon County Council, The University of Exeter, The University of Exeter Students' Guild, Exeter City Council, Bill's Restaurant of Exeter, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, EDF Energy, Somerset College, Patronus Security and Vaults Bar and Club.
The date of Exeter Pride 2016 was announced at a fundraising event held at the Exeter LGBT-friendly venue, Vaults Bar and Club. More than £600 was raised in aid of Exeter Pride during the event.
Neil Clements, chairman of Exeter Pride committee, said: "Exeter Pride is a celebration of the city and county's lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities.
"It is about us having pride in our contributions to not just a vibrant and diverse city, but all of Devon and the city and county having pride in us."
He added: "Exeter Pride would not be possible without generous donations from local businesses, organisations and individuals and the fundraising efforts of volunteers.
"Together with generous sponsorship from our partners, we are able to keep all our daytime events free-of-charge."
Mr Clements thanked the 50 volunteers who help stage the event each year and said that without their support it would not be such a success.
He added: "We are currently welcoming approaches from those who would like to get involved as volunteers, have a stall or be a partner or sponsor and applications should be made through the website: www.exeterpride.co.uk .
Further information about Exeter Pride and other Pride committee-organised events during the coming year is also available on the website and on Twitter: @exeterpride or Facebook: Facebook.com/exeterpride .
