Sunderland Pride 2019: What's on as city gets ready to celebrate

A street parade and a line up of live music is in store for Sunderland as it hosts its Pride festival in a new city centre location.
By Fiona Thompson
Published 23rd Sep 2019, 16:00 BST
Updated 28th Sep 2019, 01:48 BST
The Mayor of Sunderland Councillor Lynda Scanlan showed her support for Sunderland Pride 2018 by joining in the march.The Mayor of Sunderland Councillor Lynda Scanlan showed her support for Sunderland Pride 2018 by joining in the march.
The Mayor of Sunderland Councillor Lynda Scanlan showed her support for Sunderland Pride 2018 by joining in the march.

This Sunday, September 29, will see Wearside host its ninth Sunderland Pride, with the event moving from Park Lane to Sunniside Gardens.

The launch parade will start from Sunderland College’s city centre campus in Park Lane and head for the festival site via Olive Street, Mary Street, Albion Place, Vine Place, Holmeside, Fawcett Street, High Street West and then West Sunniside.

A programme of live music will then entertain the crowds.

Sunderland Pride 2018 parade took to the streets of the city centre last year, with this year's celebrations to move to a new location.Sunderland Pride 2018 parade took to the streets of the city centre last year, with this year's celebrations to move to a new location.
Sunderland Pride 2018 parade took to the streets of the city centre last year, with this year's celebrations to move to a new location.
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Acts will include Channy, Jessie Dale, Pulp Fiction, Pebble Dash, Melody 5, and the Shooting Star musical theatre group, Steve Udale, Aarron Lodge Hypnotist and the college’s dance group.

This year the event will be hosted by two drag artists, Miss Racheal Rear and Lucy Phurr.

Chris Ramsay, chairman of Sunderland Pride Group, which works to bring together people across Wearside and with organisations to improve the visibility of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered people.

He said: “I am so proud to see Sunderland Pride in its ninth year this year. I have never been so proud of what we have achieved and can’t wait to see for Sunday to see Sunderland full of proud and colourful people for who they are.

Last year's Sunderland Pride parade as it left the civic centre.Last year's Sunderland Pride parade as it left the civic centre.
Last year's Sunderland Pride parade as it left the civic centre.
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“Not only that, seeing next year being our 10th year – so much to come.

“As ever Pride is an inclusive free family-friendly event.

“We want to take the opportunity to thank all of our pride partners and sponsors without their support and the hard work and time from volunteers pride won't happen.”

There will also be stalls, festival food and refreshments bar in addition to other activities and entertainment.

The Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor David Snowdon, is due to attend and will be giving a speech to open the event.

The festival programme is due to close at 6pm, but the organisers say the celebrations will continue at 808 Bar and Kitchen in St Thomas Street.

Related topics:SunderlandPrideDavid Snowdon