A policeman and Birmingham Pride marcher enjoy the carnival atmosphere. | Photo: David Hudson
After Manchester Pride, Birmingham Pride, too, is set to move out of its usual location.
The annual celebration of the LGBTI community will ‘dramatically expand,’ organizers announced.
Already one of the largest events in England, this Pride will get even bigger, but at a cost. The festival will, in fact, move out of the city’s beloved gay village.
The expansion is a direct result of major redevelopment taking place within the gay village, including the privately owned car parks which have historically housed the main stages for the festival.
The main stages are looking for a new home
Birmingham Pride, England, 2017. | Photo: David Hudson
The event’s main stage, cabaret marquee, dance arena, and funfair will move to a new location that will become Birmingham Pride’s new home. Organisers have already finalised a shortlist of potential locations within the city.
‘In recent years, Birmingham has been undergoing an exciting major regeneration, now including the city’s gay village, and it’s one that we very much welcome and embrace. Through all the redevelopment, the positive outcome is that Birmingham Pride will be able to present to its tens of thousands of visitors its biggest ever festival in 2019,’ Birmingham Pride Festival Director Lawrence Barton said.
Birmingham City Council also commented on the decision.
‘Pride is a hugely important and much-loved event in the city. Birmingham, like Pride, is growing, and we want to find a new home for Pride that allows it to be the amazing celebration that it is,’ Birmingham City Council leader, Councillor Ian Ward, said.
‘The gay village will continue to be the heart and soul of the party, but it’s the right time for us to find somewhere bigger and more suitable to make sure that Pride can continue to grow.’
Despite the major change, the gay village will continue to host the annual street party.
Next year’s Birmingham Pride
A marcher carries the flag for bi visibility at Birmingham Pride in England. | Photo: GSN
Birmingham Pride will take place over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend of Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May 2019.
The festival annually attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over the UK.
The event’s carnival parade attracts over 5,000 participants and represents more than 150 LGBTI organizations and groups. Moreover, more than 75,000 spectators line the streets of Birmingham for the parade.
Marchers and floats make their way from Victoria Square through the city center. The parade then reaches its final destination, the gay village.
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