Belper to host second-ever Pride event this weekend
A parade will set off from The Market Place on Saturday
Belper will host it's second-ever Pride event on Saturday 6th July, with a 'Strutt' parade setting off from The Market Place at 12pm.
It will follow a route around the streets of Belper led by the Beatwirks Samba Reggae Band, finishing at The Memorial Gardens.
Throughout the day there will be live music performances, as well as activities at venues across the town including Belper Library.
The first event was held in 2019 after organiser Sarah Barley-McMullen was subject to homophobic abuse on the streets of Belper.
After the incident, she said she felt people needed to see others in the community like them so suggested organising a 'Pride picnic' to her wife.
Sarah said: "The town when they got to hear about it happening wouldn't let it be a small picnic and it turned into a 'Strutt', and lots of stalls, and lots of musicians, a children's area, and a Pride picnic."
Pride in Belper organisers estimate 2,000 people attended the first event in 2019.
This year organisers are hoping for a big turnout, and have lengthened the route to cater for more people to attend.
Sarah said: "It's about people understanding a bit more about sexuality and gender identity and that it's not just straight people and cisgender people that live in our community."