Good news for Oakham Pride festival despite funding concerns
Organisers say a small-scale version of the event will go ahead
A stripped-back version of Oakham Pride will go ahead this year, after organisers said they would struggle to fully fund the event.
In a social media post in January, the Oakham Pride Committee said the event may not happen "due to low finances", and that it "needed to focus on fundraising activities this year".
Now, organisers have confirmed the celebration will still happen without paid-for entertainment or stalls, so they can raise more funds to put towards Oakham Pride 2025.
There will be a Pride march, and people will be encouraged to come together at Cutts Close Park to celebrate and have picnics.
Chair of Oakham Pride, Lucy Slessor, said: "We've had so much positive feedback as to how people can help; if we could still do a march, things like that.
It's been fantastic hearing back from local people that they are still wanting to back this and make sure things go ahead for us for this year, and for the future years."
She added: "One of the most beautiful things that've come as a result of the first year's Pride, was suddenly, the quiet community that we have all over Rutland found its voice, found its visibility."
"Our presence still needs to be there. The focus of Pride will remain the same, it's just the frivolities - that're so much fun - aren't available this year, if we're to continue doing them in the future."
The date of 2024 Oakham Pride hasn't yet been announced.