Chichester Pride promises seven hours of fun and frolics

SussexWorld

Chichester Pride bursts to life with seven hours of fun and frolics as it returns to the city for its third edition.

Transcript

00:00 Good afternoon, my name is Phil Hewitt, Greek Arts Editor at Sussex Newspapers. Always fabulous

00:07 to speak to Dawn Gracie, looking exceedingly glamorous today, making me feel like I've

00:12 made no effort whatsoever. Now, Dawn, you are leading the charge with Chichester Pride,

00:17 which enters its third edition at Chichester College on May 25. Chichester Pride has established

00:24 itself so incredibly quickly, hasn't it? And you must be so pleased with the progress and

00:29 so looking forward to the day, May the 20th. Yes, it's honestly, I can't believe we're

00:34 year three already. We've been overwhelmed and overjoyed at how well Chichester has embraced

00:40 this event. And I mean, it wouldn't be where it is without the early days support of people

00:45 like Chichester College, the council's bid. So yeah, we're just... Chichester Observer

00:51 Team. I mean, a special mention to you, Phil, and the whole Chichester Observer Team for

00:56 genuinely always supporting every aspect of what we're doing. So thank you, genuinely.

01:01 It's a pleasure. Are you surprised how quickly it's progressed? Or do you think it was always

01:06 the right time? I think it was the right time. The world's

01:09 ever-changing. And of course, we were stopped in our tracks with the lockdown and Covid.

01:15 So it felt like it was a new world to launch into. And what better time, you know? And

01:20 if not now, then when? And why is it going to be such fun on the

01:24 day, do you think? I mean, well, obviously, we have the parade,

01:28 which is the first ever. History being made. And that's happening just before the main

01:34 event. And then the actual festival event is happening at the college. And it is a huge

01:40 candy store, sweet shop bag of entertainment. We've got a bigger, better, higher stage.

01:47 And of course, we're at the front of the college this year. So it's very visible. I've booked

01:51 all kinds of acts. And this is the year, the first year ever we've got a RuPaul's Drag

01:55 Race UK star in the form of something. We're very excited.

02:00 And as you say, it's a family day, isn't it? And it's very much for straight allies as

02:05 well, isn't it? It's not just the community, it's the Pride community.

02:08 It is. It's for everyone in the rainbow. And of course, allies like myself are also very,

02:13 very important as well. So we really appreciate it. And it is a family festival. So the content

02:18 of the entertainment and the workshops that we've got going are family focused. And also

02:24 we have BSL interpreters as well. So we've really tried to cover everything we possibly

02:30 can and grow year on year.

02:31 In a bigger stage than ever. Higher, bigger, better.

02:35 Yes. Bigger, higher. And the past few years, the previous positions of it, the sun would

02:41 be setting, the beautiful, glorious sun, right at the wrong point of the stage. So this year,

02:46 at the front of the college, we've got the beautiful backdrop of the Cathedral Spire.

02:50 I mean, what could be more iconic than that?

02:52 A new position at the front of the college that makes you so much more visible. And this

02:56 is all about visibility, isn't it?

02:59 It is. That is what Pride's about. And yes, and all of our wonderful sponsors who get

03:03 their big logos and banners showing their support will be visible from the road at the

03:07 front of the college. So yes, visibility, inclusivity and diversity is what it's all

03:12 about.

03:13 Fantastic. And so the Pride parade is in the morning and then Pride itself starts when?

03:19 Yes. So the Richard Plowman, our lovely town crier, will be ringing the bell at 12 o'clock

03:24 where the gates will be opening. And if you are there early and the queue's happening,

03:28 the big noise samba band will be entertaining the queue. So there's going to be lots of

03:32 entertainment before it even starts. And then the stage starts at 12.30 and goes on till

03:38 seven o'clock. So it's a whole full day, fully scheduled. So we've got guest hosts in the

03:44 form of Cherry Liqueur, RJ Campenough. We've got so many drag kings, drag queens, community

03:50 groups, choirs, everything.

03:51 Fantastic. Really lovely to speak to you. I love the look, Dawn. Thank you very much.

03:57 I don't know what you mean. This is just a casual, everyday look, Phil.

04:02 Sadly, this is.

04:05 We'll work on it. We'll work on it. Thank you so much for your support as ever, Phil.

04:08 We really appreciate it.

04:09 A pleasure. Lovely to speak to you. Thank you.

04:10 Thank you.

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