The 20th annual Perth Pride Festival has drawn to a close, with the Pride ‘Homecoming’ Parade rounding off five weeks of films, frocks and fun.
While official figures are yet to be released, organisers say the crowd was the largest they have seen for quite some years. Float numbers were also up, with 35 groups participating.
The mammoth Homecoming Pride Festival was the largest in recent history, with approximately 86 events spread over the five-week programme.
Drawing fantastic crows this year was the inaugural SWEET Community Bake-Off and High Tea at The Court Hotel. The event was so successful it is set to become a regular feature on the Pride calendar.
Also making its Pride debut this year was the Freedom Centre’s variety evening, Stars of the Future at which Perth’s next generation of artists and performers entertained a sold-out crowd at The Burlesque Lounge.
Other highlights of the festival included Laugh Out Loud, Pride’s inaugural comedy gala, which combined local and interstate talent, Bare: The Musical, which transformed Connections Nightclub into a Catholic high school nightly for a week and Gentlemen Prefer Blokes, the hilarious cabaret staring Courtney Act and Trevor Ashley.
‘Of course Fairday and the Parade were the absolute highlights for me,’ said Pride Co-President Charles Denham.
The official Pride Parade After-Party at Connections Nightclub has been hailed a success with management praising the numerous performers and staff members who worked to make it a memorable event.
‘There were a few minor issues of course but everyone pulled it off fantastically,’ said Connections Manager, Gavin Kingsbury.
Across town at The Court Hotel, the Street Party offered food, dancing and a range of different party zones catering for varying tastes. Court Hotel Director, Bree Maddox said she was extremely pleased with the turn-out and has had nothing but positive feedback.
‘The entry system worked much better than last year,’ she said. ‘Our Street Parties just keep getting better and better because we learn from each year.’
Check out the photos section of OUTinPerth for all the fun of the Pride Parade.
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