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A highly influential LGBTQ+ children’s author, the London Big Gay Band, DJs, a glitter bar, and even yoga instructors in kilts will all be part of today's beach-based Pride celebrations.
Dubbed #PrideOnTheBeach thanks to its new location - Jardins de la Mer - CI Pride 2019 is expecting a record turn-out today after receiving "unprecedented" levels of support from the local business community.
The parade will leave from the Royal Square at 14:00, following a new route through town to Les Jardins de La Mer with the Jersey Scout Band providing tunes.
Everyone is invited to gather on the square at 13:00 and to bring portable bluetooth speakers and tune into the dedicated Channel Islands Pride radio station for the duration of the parade.
The parade will culminate in a celebration, speeches and live entertainment at the Pride Village, which will offer a large number of attractions including 40 food drink, charity and merchandise stalls as well as a chill-out zone.
Between 15:00 and 18:00, the youngest Pride supporters will get to let loose in the free bouncy castle and ball pit, while there will also be face painting, a free glitter bar and some hula hoops, as well as costumed characters roaming the Pride Village grounds.
Organisers have also planned a drag race and sandcastle competitions on the beach. Thanks to the support of Visit Jersey, the Kilted Yogis will be teaching a yoga session on the beach.
From 15:30 up until the end of the event, performers will take to the stage with the London Gay Big Band, a world-renowned LGBTQ+ jazz orchestra, playing pop favourites.
There will also be a silent disco from 16:00 to 20:00 with dedicated channels playing music courtesy of DJ Stefunk, DJ Super Style Lynne, Danny Booth, and The Jersey Youth Service.
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Among the special guests for this year's event is also LGBTQ+ children’s author Olly Pike. The creator of 'Pop‘n‘Olly', an LGBTQ+ educational multimedia resource, Olly will be meeting local youth services, speaking from the stage, and reading from his books at the Family Fun Area of the Pride Village.
The young author said he was "delighted" to be taking part in the event, "and to be able to speak to islanders about my work engaging young people and their families so they can have positive conversations about equality and diversity."
"It’s my first in Jersey, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the Island and celebrating with everyone," he added.
Video: The London Big Gay Band, who will be performing in Jersey today.
"We have been absolutely blown away by the level of support Pride has received this year from the local community and would like to thank all our sponsors who have generously donated funds and their time to make sure we can put on this community, family-friendly event, and keep it free for everyone to attend," Christian May, Director of Channel Islands Pride, said.
“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the milestone of five years of Channel Islands Pride – it’s like nothing we’ve seen before and we can’t wait to welcome everyone – LGBTQ+ or allies, people from Jersey, Guernsey and visitors from overseas – to really celebrate our Islands in all their diversity.”
Pictured top: One of the Kilted Yogis and Olly Pike - the brains behind 'edu-tainment' series 'Pop'n'Olly'. (Facebook/Kilted Yogis)(Instagram/@OllyPike)
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