Congleton's Pride team is preparing for its main annual event on Saturday, 22 July, when there will be fun and entertainment from 10am until late at night.

Congleton town centre roads will be closed to allow for a full day of family fun including free live entertainment from outdoor stages and a variety of stalls and activities throughout the day. Tickets are selling fast for the evening 'After Hours' event (18+) taking take place in Congleton Town Hall.

Congleton Pride is a festival that celebrates diversity and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people, and in Congleton it has grown since the first event in 2019 to be one of the highlights of the summer. 

This year the event starts at 10am on the 22nd with children's entertainment on the Main Stage in the centre of Congleton, followed by a variety of acts throughout the day both there and on the Community Stage beside the 'Our Elizabeth' statue.

Ronan Clayton, Trustee and Chair of Congleton Pride, said "This year we are very excited to announce the addition of a Pride Parade to our day. It will march down from Lawton Street past the Town Hall to the main stage, starting at 11.15am. We hope all of Congleton will come and join in to share this celebration and of course there will be lots for all the family including food, drink and shopping as well as the live shows."

Pride Trustee Cllr Richard Walton added "Once again we have partnered with the Maker's Market to run the stalls for Pride, and there will be lots of your favourite crafts and food stalls, as well as some offering advice and support to LGBTQIA+ people and the wider community."

Rev Murray George of Congleton United Reformed Church will be joining the Pride Parade. He commented: "I am really delighted that Pride is going from strength to strength in Congleton and has established itself as more than just an annual party, but as a hub of support and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people. I am very much looking forward to the day."

The main stage show will begin with children's entertainment from Princess Impersonations of Manchester, then the arrival of the Parade led by the Beartown Stompers jazz band, followed by performances from a wide variety of acts including X-Factor's Andy Hofton, the Gay Gordons dancers, bands Frantic Fridays and Bored Adventures, more dance from LB Dance and Street Dance Academy, and headlined by Lucy Rose as Absolute Britney, all introduced by drag artist Fonda D.

The Community Stage will feature Nick Barnes' magic show at 11.30am, after which will be a variety of local acoustic artists, school choirs, novelty acts, and speeches from the community, about 'What Pride Means to Me'.

The evening 'After Hours' show is headlined by Madonna tribute act Laura King and features Maria La Rae and Congleton's own Stella Black.

Tickets are £15, and for an extra £15 concert-goers can upgrade to VIP tickets in order to arrive at 6pm for a two-course meal and drink, as well as a front-row seat.

This year's event is sponsored by Millie's Vets as Event Partner, with other local sponsors including Pear Hospitality Group, Kanga Health, Loguru, The Congleton Chronicle and more than 20 other local businesses. The Pride team also thanks Congleton Community Projects and Congleton Town Council for their support.

Chair of Congleton Town Council's Community Committee and Pride Trustee Cllr Kay Wesley said: "Thank you so much to the Pride team for putting this event together once more. Thanks also to the Maker's Market, the stall holders and sponsors without whom the event would not be possible.

"We are also grateful to the many volunteers, our Council officers for their support and the local shops who are decking their windows in Pride colours.

"Councillors and local organisations including Cheshire Constabulary and Cheshire Fire and Rescue will be there on the day, and the rainbow flag will fly from our Town Hall. Pride is about celebrating diversity and including and respecting everyone. The message is: be who you are and love who you love, and I hope everyone will join in and have a fantastic day."

Congleton Pride starts at 10am on Saturday 22 July. For more information and tickets for go to www.congletonpride.co.uk or visit @CongletonPride on Facebook.