Northampton's 8th Pride festival taking place
Organisers are warning festival goers to come prepared for today's hot weather.
This year marks the 8th celebration in West Northants, promising a vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in West Northamptonshire. Last year, saw thousands of people attend from Northamptonshire and surrounding areas, with plans for this year to be even bigger and better.
The Pride Parade will start at 11am, from the Market Square heading down to Fish Street, along The Ridings, past The Guildhall, George Row and Mercers Row, before returning to the Market Square for around 11:50am.
This year, the Northampton Pride committee and entertainers are inviting everyone to join in the parade.
Nick Allen is a member of the towns Pride Committee and says people should come prepared for today's 30 degree temperatures.
"We're very much encouraging everyone to be along today to bring plenty of water with bring a hat and bring sunscreen as well because it's going to be a scorcher."
Corby Pride had to be cancelled due to poor weather and high winds on the 7th June.
Nick's been telling us why the event is so important:
"Pride is not only a celebration of everything that's great about the LGBTQ plus community.
"But also a reminder of the struggles that we know that LGBTQ plus people face not only in the UK being marginalised, but also all over the world, and is recognised that in certain parts of the world being gay is not only illegal but also punishable by death.
"And so this is an opportunity for us to reflect not only on the struggles that we've all been facing in this country, but also our siblings are based overseas that are facing much more harrowing experiences."
Today's line up includes Tom Aspaul, a West Midlands-based pop artist, Nicole Faraday also a Midlands resident, a Kettering born drag performer Teena, The Chappell Show bring pop anthems in the style of artist Chappell Roan. The host for the day is Miss Alexis and Ibiza Percussion Experience, a high-energy DJ and percussion performance known for vibrant, interactive shows.
Nick also says it's important for the that lots of local acts are involved:
"We make sure that this is an opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ plus community locally as well as regionally and nationally. And so they're actually providing opportunity for some of our local performers to get on the stage and each perform. It raises their profile, but also has introduced them to new audiences."
Entertainment will include rainbow stilt walkers, Elton Wrong, a chill out zone provided by Q-Space and a quiet area donated by Café Track.