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Newry Pride is finally back on the city event calendar under the new management of LGBTQ+ Women's Group Newry. It has been 5 years since the streets of Newry saw a pride parade and organisers are super excited as preparations are finalised for the big return.
The LGBTQ+ Women's group received a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to revive the festival and have spent the last few months drawing up plans. Event schedules are starting to trickle out now and after-party tickets have now gone on sale via Ticketsource. Organisers have a brand new location for the main event on August 31st and a confirmed line-up with a few exciting names in there. It is exclusively LGBTQ+ artists on the main stage this year, and throughout most of the festival.
The parade itself will line-up outside the Quays at Albert Basin and march at 1pm down to Needham Bridge at Grounded, turning then towards Hill St for dispersal at Marcus Square where the free concert begins in the heart of the city. This will be a change from previous years where it had been held in St Christopher's or McClelland Park.
Council Chairperson Cllr Pete Byrne will lead the parade as Grand Marshall along with Deputy Chairperson Cllr David Lee-Surginor and Cllr Byrne will deliver the opening speech in Marcus Square at 2pm. Omagh pop star Janet Devlin is kicking off the music, followed by Dublin performance art sensation Sexy Tadhg. The stage will then be headlined by queer-punk Belfast feminist four-piece Problem Patterns.
There will be face-painting and family fun at both The Quays and Marcus Square events. Festivities close at Marcus Square at 5pm and after-parties begin at 7.30pm. The Official Pride After-party is taking place this year in the Whistling Donkey bar at Bellinis with comedy, burlesque, drag stars and live music, followed by a gay disco into the early hours.
Member's of Newry's Burlesque Belles, Drag star Auntie Marie and Comedy Duo Brian Reavey and Daryll Galloghly are among the first performers confirmed for the event.
There will also for the first time be an alternative after-party for queer punk bands in the INF headlined by Belfast up and coming punk group Genderchores. Also on the bill are local bands Amended and Rose Fatale, as well as Dundalk punk six-piece Messy Avocado.
There are several events happening in the lead up to the event. On 18 August at 11am there will be a Pride 5k starting from Newry TowPath at WIN, organised by Coffee Running Club.
On Friday the 23 August there will be a night of music featuring Zoe Fegan, followed by lesbian-centric literature read by members of LGBTQ+ Women's Group. This will take place in Finegan & Sons coffee shop starting at 7.30pm.
A spokesperson for the organising team has said plans are still developing and there may be a few more surprises on the way and more events to announce so keeping an eye on the socials is recommended. As for the parade they have said, "We've had a lot of groups signed up to march now and registration remains open until the 24th' August. We would encourage any last minute groups wanting to participate to get signed up soon. There is still time"
The organisers encourage members of the LGBTQ+ Community as well as allies to come out and enjoy the event, get on board with the festivities and embrace the chance to celebrate and support queer culture and diversity. The organisers also extend thanks to all the sponsors and businesses who have supported the festival so far. It is hoped the event will bring a boost of tourism to the area and be a big fun day out for all. Please enjoy safely and get in touch with the organisers at newrylgbtwomen@gmail.com with any queries.
