Whitehaven’s first ever pride event is taking place this weekend – and it’s set to welcome headliners including Sandi Thom and East 17.
Pride by the Harbourside will go ahead on Saturday September 16 and is being organised by Proud and Diverse Cumbria.
Well-known musicians will be performing on a main stage situated in Queens Dock car park, while dozens of vendors and activity hubs will be livening up the town’s promenade.
East 17, Tina Cousins and Sandi Thom – known best for her song I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair) – will be headlining the entirely free event.
It is the latest rural pride to go ahead in Cumbria following successes in Kendal, Barrow and Silloth.
What time will the music acts be performing?
The live music and entertainment on the main stage will start at 12pm and last until 7pm in the evening.
It will be hosted by Liam Moorhouse, Sue De Creme and Marc Allan. Katherine Ellis, known for being a voice of the Freemasons, will perform first.
Acts such as Channy, Angie Brown, Liam Moorhouse, Elton John tribute act Andy Crosbie will then keep spirits high throughout the day alongside Danielle Barnett from The Urban Cookie Collective, Shelly B, Ross Alexander and Stella.
Cumbria Deaf Association will be attending to provide BSL interpretation for all performers.
Towards the end of the day Sandi Thom will be joined by the Chrysalis Cumbria choir on the main stage, who will perform a Makaton version of her hit song ‘I wish I Was A Punk Rocker’.
East 17 will then bring the day to a close and an after party will go ahead from 7pm until late at Club 135 on Tangier Street.
DJ Ross Alexander will run an exclusive pride set in the night spot and Katherine Ellia, Bianca Kinane and Zoe will also perform.
Entry to the after party will be free but there will be a pride collection on the door with a suggested donation of £3 to £5.
Smaller stages will also run throughout the day as follows.
At 12pm the Oh My Days acoustic stage will open near the Sugar Tongue with the Dischord Choir, then at 1pm The Native Cult will perform, followed by Emma Dockeray at 2pm, Delagrave at 3pm and Michael T Ogilvie at 4pm.
The youth pride stage will open at 12.30pm in the Youth Zone with Emily Rogers, then at 1.30pm Meg Narongchai will perform before Birdseed takes to the stage at 2.30 followed by The Spectrum at 3.30pm.
Rosehill Theatre will also have two main stage performances with the Dischord Choir at 1pm and Michael T Ogilvie at 1.15pm.
The full running order of the main stage music events is set to be published soon. Check back here for updates.
What activities are happening throughout the day?
Vendors will run stalls from 10am to 6pm and will offer everything from food and drink to art, crafts and clothing.
Charity and non-profit stall holders will also be attending and providing sexual health and wellbeing advice throughout the day.
At 10am, the event’s sports zone and fun fair will open and at 10.30am the food stalls will open.
A samba band accompanied by Billie Raymond will then start a pride flag walk along the harbour at 11am.
Pop-up bars will open at 12pm alongside the main stage where music acts will begin and then end at 7pm.
The youth zone will also open at 12pm and close at 6pm. Activities on offer will include LGBTQ+ badge making, a graffiti workshop with Beardy Synergy, fashion upcycling workshop with fashion designer Noki and an abstract art workshop with artist Emily Ford.
A zine workshop with artist Molly Hughes will also take place alongside a crazy self portrait workshop with artist Leon Thompson, a neon landscape workshop with Tullie House and a pop-up photo studio with Casey Orr.
Additionally, a youth culture and queer history pop-up with a chance to meet LGBTQ+ Cumbrians from the past will go ahead and youngsters will have a chance to be part of an LGBTQ+ film with the help of a queer filmmaker from Green Frog Productions.
An LGBTQ+ youth open mic night will also take place from 4.30pm to 5.30pm for musicians, singers, poets and spoken word artists. Organisers said it will be a safe and friendly space for those looking to perform for the first time.
The event has had huge support from over 50 local sponsors so far and organisers have said if this year proves successful, they hope to see the Pride return next year.
You can find out more about Pride on the Harbourside and keep an eye on updates by following Proud and Diverse Cumbria here.
