Things are hotting up for Hastings Pride this Sunday

Hastings Pride takes over The Oval

After last year’s mini-Pride taster, Hastings Pride has shaped up into a Rainbow Extravaganza for Bank Holiday Sunday. This year, the action kicks off with a stonking parade through town, ending at The Oval where there will be a variety of events and a main stage, with girl band Stooshe headlining the event. Erica Smith gets the low down for the High Day.

I spoke to Simon Farnes who has been working with the Pride Committee on behalf of Substance and On The Rocks bar. He filled me in on the plans, starting with the Parade: “The parade will start off at 11am around South Terrace (by the side of Priory Meadow) and go up Queens Road to the town centre where it will cross Havelock Road and pause outside Debenhams for some surprise treats! If you want to join in with the parade, this is probably the best place to do it from. It will then set off again, down Robertson Street to the seafront, up Schwerte Way by the side of the White Rock Theatre, then on to The Oval in Bohemia Road where the festivities will start from around 12.15pm.”

The Parade should arrive at The Oval about 12.15

If you want to watch and support the parade, Simon recommends that the best place will be along the seafront so that the town centre does not get too crowded. If you want to watch the surprises first, the seafront can then be accessed via Harold Place.

The Parade will arrive at The Oval using the Falaise Road entrance which is flat. The site is perfect for Pride, with plenty of space for community stalls to the right of the entrance, vintage rides and amusements, not one, but TWO bars – including cocktails by The Owl & The Pussycat – and Arts Tent with a fabulous programme of activities and events co-ordinated by Michelle Taylor of Monkey Paw Tattoo Parlour, all hosted by Princess Porcelynn:

12.45-1.15 Williams Young Duo
1.20-1.30. Shaun Howe, stand up comedy
1.30-2pm Carol Prior with her ukelele
2.15 – 2.45 Q+A with Lucien Freud’s favourite model Sue Tilley!
3-4 pm, there will be a Poetry Slam! local poets will be performing – come along and support them! If you would like a slot, come and talk to Princess P.
4.15-4.45 A K Benedict will be reading her work.
4.45-5pm Princess Porcelynn!

Jack Booth will be selling screen prints and t-shirts
Chuddly Mosters selling weird and wonderful creations
Anthony Birch with an exhibition of his paintings
Julia Kotziamani who will be offering her thoughtful secrets installation. You might want to bring an old document for this one and watch her transform it into something beautiful
Kelly Wilkinson will be showing his photographs

The final line up for the Main Stage has not yet been announced – it’s quite a feat to programme 20 bands and performers. Acts include Blair, Kid Kapici and Kayleigh Anne with Joe. At 5.30 the FooFoo Taboo Burlesque and Cabaret takes to the stage. Watch this space.

It is expected that things will have calmed down at the Oval by sunset, then it’s all back to the town centre for the Official Pride After Party at On The Rocks – with drag act Cookie Monster and local girl, DJ Miss Tyson. Tickets are £5 in advance, or £7 on the day.

Natasha Scott, Hastings Pride Arts and Entertainment Director writes:
Well the big day is very close and everyone at Hastings Pride is very excited to see everyone celebrate our first ever Hastings Pride Festival and Parade. There are so many people to thank which I will try to do on the day but I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Hastings Borough Council for all their help in making this the wonderful day that it should be. We really can’t thank them enough for their support in helping us make it a day we can all be proud to be holding in our town. The message it sends to the LGBT+ community as well to other minority groups cannot be understated. Hastings is showing that we don’t just tolerate diversity but we embrace it and celebrate it. That people don’t need to live in fear but should take pride in who they are.

The Facebook page has information on all the Pride events – it’s an impressive calendar of events held all over the town (and Bexhill too!). Hats off to the organisers for generating an event which everyone has taken to their heart. H.A.V.E. – a group of local disbility campaigners will be on site, and users of Hastings Happiness Cafe have been busy making accessories for the parade. This will be a day to remember.

Check out the Hastings Pride website too.

Also in: One Long Party