This year's Pride marked the 47th year of Bristolians celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, it was also the first time I had ever attended a Pride event. With family members who identify as part of the community, it was very poignant for me, and I was looking forward to experiencing it.
Pride is jam-packed and can be divided into two parts: the 2-mile march in the morning, which is a completely free event, and the festival that starts in the afternoon on the Downs. And the day doesn't stop there; those who wanted to continue the celebrations could head over to the official after-party in the evening for an additional fee.
Armed with all the information I needed and a cup of coffee, I set off from Bristol Temple Meads towards Castle Park to witness the famous Pride parade around the shopping quarter. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I knew it would have a fantastic atmosphere.
Read More: Bristol Pride 2023 march: Photos show thousands of people taking to the city streets
The march itself was an incredible event to watch. It was a brilliant display of solidarity and pride people have in the LGBTQIA+ community. Not only were there people from all walks of life but there were also people of all ages, from the newest of babies to grandparents taking their grandchildren for the first time.
And it wasn’t only the broad age range that stood out, the costumes and outfits people wore were amazing. One person came dressed as a transformer, which was definitely a favourite among those stood watching. There were also people dressed up in drag, including impressive six-inch heels - their feet must have been hurting at the end of the day.
But one of my personal favourite moments of the parade was the brilliant marching drummers that were out in force. They provided a great show, all while walking the 2-mile route to Millennium Square. My face was lit up in a smile throughout the Parade, just watching others who are so happy being able to show who they are to the world is one of the best things I have ever witnessed.
After the parade had finished people headed for buses that would take them to the next part of the celebrations - Pride Day festival. Located on the Downs, the festival had a lot of different things to offer those attending. The one thing I really noticed upon reaching the site was the number of people who had paid for the Pride Day Supporter wristband, the queue was triple the size of the ordinary donation line.
Once inside, I had a little look around at what was going on and I have to say the smaller stages were really popular among festival goers. The circus tent, which had some really funny acts earlier in the day, was packed both inside and around the doors. Not only were there stages with performances, there was also a tent where people could go to get advice and information on a range of different topics, perfect for those who want to educate themselves further on the community.
Overall my Pride experience was a really good one and I had such a great time. The people are all friendly, no one cares who you are or what you identify as, they’re just happy to be celebrating a community that has faced a lot of adversity. I will definitely be going to other Pride events in the coming years and would love to experience it with my family who are part of the community themselves.
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