Manchester :: The Best PRIDE in the UK
It's official: Manchester Pride 2007 was just voted the UK's Best Festival, Pride or Event by readers of the Pink Paper - Britain's national gay newspaper. It's the second year in a row that the event has earned the title, and as someone who got to experience Manchester PRIDE 2007 personally, I can vouch for the fact that Manchester PRIDE- and Manchester itself- totally rocks.
So how is it that Manchester PRIDE beat-out PRIDE events in Brighton, Glastonbury, and even London? Personally I think it's the people of Manchester, but it could also be the dozens of fabulous parties, festival events, bars, clubs and business who participate- not to mention the incredible support that they receive from the city.
This year marked the first year that the event also operated as a charity, and perhaps because of that they sold more tickets than ever before. Jackie Crozier, festival manager of Manchester Pride, said, "I'm very proud of Pride '07. We ended up raising ?95,000 (almost $200,000) for charity as well."
"This year, the event celebrates its 18th birthday and we're going to pull out all the stops to make sure we give Manchester a coming of age party to remember."
Just last week the dates for Manchester PRIDE 2008- the city's biggest ever coming of age party- have been revealed by the organizers of Manchester Pride. The ten-day festival will take place between Friday August 15th and Monday August 25th.
Jackie Crozier said: "The festival had grown tremendously over the past 18 years. What began life as a tombola outside the Rembrandt pub on Canal Street is today one of the biggest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender events in world.
You can bet that Manchester Pride 2008 is going to be off-the-hook and if I have my say, I'll be there celebrating with them!
If you're interested in taking part in Manchester Pride 2008 as a volunteer, parade entrant or exhibitor at the Lifestyle Expo or Market Place events, you can contact Jackie Crozier at 0161 236 7474 or go to www.manchesterpride.com