More than 500 people dressed in an array of fantastic and colourful outfits took part in today’s Margate Pride parade.
The fantastic spectacle wound its way from the Walpole Bay Hotel into the town, cheered on by the gathered crowds.
One of the organisers, Tommy Poppers, said despite the difficult environment for organising mass events, following atrocities such as the Manchester bombing in May, there was a desire in the town to welcome and promote Pride.
He said: “Margate is having a renaissance at the moment and there are lots of things going on, there is a real energy at grassroots and we are finding that everybody wants this.
“You can imagine it is very difficult to organise parades at the moment because of the environment we are living in, everyone is very paranoid about things, but people want these things to happen. We have spoken to the volunteers and the traders and they want to reenergise and reinvigorate this town.”
Preparations are already underway for next year, which promises to be even bigger and better.
Tommy, who has had two sold out shows in the town, said: “We have already started planning and we are starting to think ahead. Next year will be bigger, this is still in its infancy. It will be bigger and better, next year, we even have Turner doing a whole month’s worth of exhibitions.”
And the fun is not over yet. There is an after-party and a gig at Dreamland and a seaside fun day tomorrow. Find out more here
Report and photos by Adam Dark
Saw loads of happy people celebrating, except Sandra scammell (Bunny LaRoche). Awful person!
Could the photo of me wearing cancer is a drag t shirt be emailed to me please
Can’t see it. Is it in the slider gallery?