Organisers say they hope this year's Keighley Pride Gala, taking place on Saturday 20th August, will be the biggest and best so far.
The free event takes place at Cougar Park from 2pm to 11pm, starting with a family fun day featuring stalls, kids’ activities and entertainment until 5pm. There will then be 'chillax music' from 5pm to 7pm followed by an evening of entertainment.
In addition Keighley Cougars will be holding a touch rugby tournament from 10am to 2pm, and the Cavendish Hotel is hosting the Pride afterparty with a DJ until 1am.
Keighley Pride chair David Shaw said: “Our small team of volunteers has worked incredibly hard to make this event the biggest so far, and the best. We have a stellar line-up, including Keighley’s own drag queen Marigold Addams and West Yorkshire’s LGBT choir, Gay Abandon.
“We invite everyone to come down and share the fun. Pride is a celebration of LGBTQIA+ people and culture, and an acknowledgement of our allies and supporters.
“We have come a long way since the first Pride events 50 years ago. Society has become more inclusive and accepting. We are delighted this is reflected in the support given by local businesses and particularly by our main sponsors, Keighley Town Council and Keighley Cougars, without whom an event of this scale would not be possible. We’d also like to thank Morrisons, Asda and Sainsbury’s for their support.
“That is not to say everything is perfect. There are still hate crimes and harassment of LGBTQIA+ people. Those who seek to sow division have particularly targeted transgender people, so let me be clear: Keighley Pride is trans positive. We stand united with our trans siblings.”
In addition to Marigold Addams and Gay Abandon, acts due to perform include Welsh singer Bibi Taylor; Jane Fraser, of TV’s The Voice; drag star Dragalicious; Keighley’s Jamba Samba band; vocalist Ellen Roy; and Haworth Brass Band.
There’ll be a karaoke session and a DJ in the evening as well.
Keighley Cougars’ bar will be open throughout the event, and there will be refreshment stalls with vegetarian and vegan options.
As well as the annual Pride Gala, Keighley Pride has run a series of awareness and wellbeing events throughout the year. In November the non-profit group organised a public meeting between LGBTQIA+ people and representatives of Keighley Town Council, the West Yorkshire mayor’s office, and West Yorkshire Police.
The group has held several open social meets and run a series of Pride Stride wellbeing walks around Airedale – walks so far have taken Pride Striders to Top Withens Farm, around Heaton Woods in Shipley, Low Wood near Silsden, and to the Twelve Apostles stone circle on Rombalds Moor. The next Pride Stride will take place in September as part of the Keighley Walking Festival.
Mr Shaw said that the Keighley Pride team needs more volunteers to help it to keep growing. “We need people to help organise and run events, and to represent the group at the various community events we’re invited to attend,” he said. “We’re particularly keen to hear from members of Keighley’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities and from people in faith groups. You don’t have to be LGBTQIA+ yourself – just share our principles of inclusion and acceptance.”
To volunteer, visit the Keighley Pride website, www.keighleypride.org, or visit the group’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/KeighleyPride.
See more details about the event on Saturday 20th August on the Rombalds Radio Events Guide.
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