Bolton Pride 2022 light up the town with parade and entertainment – The Bolton News
A rainbow of colour dazzled the town as Bolton Pride held its annual day of celebration.
A parade danced and whirled its way through Bolton town centre to signal the second day of Bolton Pride.
Hundreds of people marched to Victoria Square.
The parade started at Queen’s Park around 11am, supporters dressing in vibrant clothes from all over Bolton marched to Victoria Square.
Hundreds packed the ‘square’ as a stage was set up for an afternoon of entertainment, creating a festival feel.
Bolton Pride 2022
Singer Jsky, from Bury welcomed the crowd on stage, while they danced to rhythm of drums that were being played
The importance of why Pride needs to be held wasn’t forgotten, with a number of stalls offering advice and information.
Owner of the World of Rainbow stall, Aydin Cantekin said: “For us, it’s not just about being here to make money, we support a lot of charities.
“And a lot of the proceeds we earn from the Rainbow goods go back into Pride to make them bigger and better, and also to help homeless, gay people who have been kicked out on the streets by their parents.
“We do try the best we can to as much back into it as we take from it.
Bolton Pride 2022
“It’s a cause that started a lot of years ago, now 50 years ago to bring straight people and gay people together, and also to help, and also help with the medicine for HIV.
“The most exciting bit is to see straight people and gay people and bi-sexual people all mixing together and being friendly.
“I mean, we’re still getting a lot of gay bashing, but it’s a lot better than it was.”
The Vegan Queen’s were the first to perform on stage, as well as several tribute acts such as Michael Jackson, George Michael, Abba, and more.
Plenty of stall owners were set up around the square, including Bolton University, Bolton College; Bolton’s electrical retailer, AO; the LGBT Foundation; GMB Union; a glitter stall, and more.
The free event also had a wide range of food and drink from Carrs Pasties and a pop-up bar.
Tonight the Town Hall will be lit up in Pride colours and tomorrow is ‘Family Fun Day’, in Victoria Square, supported by Bolton Wanderers in the Community from 10 am onwards.