Posted 19 February 2024
All of us at Bristol Pride are delighted to add another award to our belt after being named as Pride Organisation of the Year at this year’s national Gaydio Awards held in Manchester on Friday 16th Feb.
Following public nomination, a panel of community judges selected Bristol Pride as the winning festival and members of the Bristol Pride team were there to pick up the awards in front of a star studded audience including West End and Strictly Come Dancing star Layton Williams. Stars of Rupaul’s Drag Race UK also performed and presented awards including Ginger Johnson and Tia Kofi, who performed at the festival’s Cabaret Stage last year.
Chris Blackmore, Gaydio said:
‘The Pride category received an incredible number of nominations and Bristol Pride continues to be a unique and important event that celebrates the LGBT+ community and offers the chance to connect people in the community and beyond.’
This year, we will celebrate our 15th anniversary after bringing the festival back to the city in 2010. The team have grown it from a 4,000 person event to one of the largest UK Prides, welcoming 40,000 people to Pride Day on The Downs and 25,000 joining the Parade March through the city.
Daryn Carter, Director, Bristol Pride said:
‘We are incredibly proud to be named Pride Organisation of The Year. We’ve worked hard to build Bristol Pride up to be one of the biggest Pride events in the UK, and to keep the community at the heart of what we do. It’s just fantastic to be recognised for our work on this national platform.’
Last year we delivered 40 events across the festival, in 26 venues in the city and saw Jakes Shears and Natalie Imbruglia headlining. This year’s events will take place from the 29th June – 14th July, with the main Pride Day festival taking place on Saturday 13th July and will once again bring the city alive with Pride. 5 incredible stages will return to The Downs, with over 200 performers and artists as well as incredible food and market areas. The Bristol Pride site will also host Youth and Family Areas alongside the Community and Expo Area that platforms over 60 charities and organisations.
The event on The Downs will again offer a donation entry option, ensuring that it remains financially accessible for everyone who wants to attend Pride. However, Bristol Pride are asking everyone who can afford to do so, to ensure they get a Supporter Wristband for Bristol Pride 2024 to help support the charity. Not only do the Supporter Wristbands help Pride happen and ensure future events, they offer great rewards including free bus travel on Pride Day, dedicated quick access entry, discounts at the festival with food traders onsite and even money off drink prices on the bars.
Eve Russell, Director, Bristol Pride said:
‘We are so excited to have won this incredible accolade. We work all year round to make Bristol Pride happen but this also goes out to all our incredible volunteers, performers and community that make Bristol Pride so special. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the festival this year and encourage everyone who can to get a wristband to support us to keep making Bristol Pride such a special, award winning, event.’