All Set For Swindon & Wiltshire Pride 2023
Swindon & Wiltshire Pride is returning this weekend with a sparkling line-up of artists, stalls and even a circus zone.
The main day event once again returns to Swindon’s Queens Park following a move last year and a positive response from those that attended, and will be celebrating it’s 15th Anniversary.
A Pride March will set off from the Town Centre at 11am starting outside H&M The Parade, Swindon SN1 1BB. The Pride March will start promptly at 11:30 am and will make its way through the town, towards the Town hall and then to Queens park, ready to begin Pride. Tickets for the march have unfortunately sold out, but spectators are welcome to cheer and support the parade during it’s journey.
Running from 12noon until 6pm, the main event in Queens Park promises once again to great inclusive fun event for all.
Back for a roaring return is the Fandangos Family and Circus Area where you will be able join for another day full of entertainment and activities such as festival-favourite Goldie Fiasco, famous for her sharp knife throwing skills and quick whit. An entertaining and interactive family street show, performed twice throughout the day. Also back by popular demand, pioneering-puppet-pair Nik and Sarah from Noisy Oyster bring their pop-up-performance for the Swindon Crowds once more. Get ready for a pretty simple performance from a fairly plain guy…It’s Plain Bob!
A new feature for this year, the organisers have added a new zone the “quiet zone”. This area will be located away from the main area of the park for those that need to get away from the noise and take some time away from the hustle and bustle of the main area.
The main arena in the park will host live music, event sponsors, stalls, pride merchandise, the Rainbow deckchair and more.
Among the special guests at the open air event are Eurovision stars Scooch who as well as their hit ‘Flying The Flag’ had four other top 40 hits. Another former UK entrant Nicki French will also be performing. Nicki also entered the charts with her club version of ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ and is a favourite of UK Pride events.
Also joining the lineup will be Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK star Tia Kofi. The live singing Drag Queen shot to fame in Season Two of the reality competition and emerged as one of the fan favourites.
Local singer Jade Young has a passion for country music and will be showcasing a celebration of Shania Twain, whilst twin singing sensation Billy & Louie will be entertaining the audience with songs made famous by singers such as George Michael and Abba.
World Champion Beatboxer and multi instrumentalist Bellatrix will be performing as well as Drag King comedian and singer Don One.
Completing the line up are Spotlight Choir and dancers from Lawn Manor Academy.
In another national and local collaboration, the live stage show will be hosted by established Drag Queen Miss Jam Tart who hails from Bristol and local host Evie Em-Jay. Evie said ‘we are really excited to showcase a diverse live show featuring artists from across our community. We hope all the community will support the event to once again celebrate love, inclusion and togetherness.
The event is proudly sponsored by Nationwide and the committee are working together with South Swindon Parish Council to deliver the event. after the event at Queens Park the celebrations continue at the official afterparty being held from 7pm at Battle Boom Bar.
More information can be found on the Swindon & Wiltshire Pride Website
