Manchester Pride Parade
Thank you to the Food Warehouse for supporting us in the Parade and giving a lucky listener a fantastic VIP weekend
Last updated 31st Aug 2018
The August bank holiday saw Manchester taken over by the annual Pride celebrations. Rainbow flags and glitter washed over the city and Hits Radio were there to soak up the atmosphere.
With the theme for this years parade being 'Circus of Acceptance' the greatest show really did come to town. Over 10,000 people took part in the Manchester Pride Parade making it the biggest the city has ever seen.
Hits Radio along with some volunteers from our friends at The Food Warehouse took part in the parade with Hits Radio's DJ Alex James hosting a live broadcast to bring listeners in Manchester closer to the action.
Thousands of spectators turned out to see the acrobats, ring leaders and strong men dance their way through the streets in the parade which travelled from Liverpool Road to Manchester's famous Gay Village.
Thanks to The Food Warehouse we were able to send a lucky listeners and four of her friends to the Manchester Pride Big Weekend, VIP style. We caught up with Charli who won the tickets to find out what she made of the festival.
"The whole weekend was just so amazing! People of all gender identities and sexuality coming together to celebrate and commemorate." Charli told us.
"We sang along to The Greatest Showman in the Dance Arena, attempted to Vogue to Madonna in the clubs and danced the night away with strangers." She continued.
"Not even the rain on Sunday could dampen our spirits, we came out in our ponchos and umbrellas to party along with Rita Ora."
Also at Manchester Pride Big Weekend, Hits Radio presenters Hattie Pearson and James Barr hosted the Thomas Cook Main Stage, and we continued to bring our listeners close to the action with live shows coming from the festival all weekend.
Manchester Pride weekend culminated as it always does with the candlelit vigil. Our competition winner Charli told us she shed a few tears, "It was such a beautiful and fitting way to end the weekend, reflecting on those we have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS among other things, and looking to the future."
It was a fantastic weekend, one that Hits Radio is proud to be a part of. Looks like Charli and her friends had a good time too! Roll on next year.