So you may have seen us mention the 10th anniversary of North Wales Pride and that Blazing Minds had been asked to pop on over to Bangor and return to celebrate the event we first covered many years ago in 2014 when the Pride event was at Hendre Hall, so we headed up the A55 to Bangor for the Pride Parade that took place on the Bangor High Street.
North Wales Pride was established in 2011 and is a unique and important event that celebrates the LGBT+ community and offers opportunities to bring people together and reduce rural isolation.
It was a slightly early start for me yesterday morning as I sorted everything out for the journey up to Bangor to meet up with the North Wales Pride organisers to sort out the plan of what was happening during the day, the journey up the motorway a bit disconcerting at times as the rain lashed down before arriving in Bangor and finding the car park, which was only a 3-minute walk from Y Ranch where the evening entertainment would be taking place.
I settled in, got everything ready and headed down the high street to meet up with everyone that would be taking part in the Pride Parade, at first it seemed that not many people had turned up but as 1 pm got closer the crowds of people arrived with their Pride flags and accompanied by family and friends.
Pride Parade in Bangor
People also came out to the side of the streets to see the Pride Parade make its way up the high street and toward Bangor Cathedral, which would be lit up later in the evening in the Pride colours.
The parade was headed by the Oompah Stompers with their renditions of modern-day tunes in only a style that they could bring us, brilliant to listen to and the lead member of the band had a microphone to coax people to get involved and enjoy the day.
After the Pride Parade, we headed back to Y Ranch, grabbed a drink and something to eat and then waited for the evenings live acts to take to the stage, these included Bwncath, Gruffydd Wynn, Mr Breakdown, World Wide Welshman, Eryl, Sarah Wynn & Gwion (CELAVI), Lara Turner and all compared by the one and only Crystal Bawls.
Artists at Bangor Pride Parade
The evening also saw a Lifetime Achievement Award to Keith Parry, Keith was given the award after his tremendous support and services to the LGBTQ+ community in Bangor and North Wales over the last many years. From volunteering with Mesmac helpline to providing a sexual health table at many gay pubs and events.
It’s been an honour to be invited back to North Wales Pride and to be part of the first Pride Parade in Bangor, massive thanks go to the team behind the event that has worked very hard to bring pride to the town and to keep everything flowing throughout the day, it was lovely to see so many people taking part and showing their support for the LGBTQ+ community in North Wales and let’s hope that the North Wales Pride team can make sure that there will be a Pride Parade in the town for 2023.
If you want to know more about the event and how you can get involved then stop by the Official Website.
Photos © 2022 Karen Woodham / Blazing Minds
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
