Croydon Council headline sponsor of PrideFest 2018

Croydon Council has shown its commitment to the borough’s diverse LGBTQ+ community by supporting Croydon PrideFest on Saturday 14th July as its headline sponsor. This year will see the borough celebrating the third year of PrideFest, the popular and inclusive celebration of LGBTQ+ people in Croydon and south London. 

With the Council’s support as headline sponsor, this year’s PrideFest follows on from the successful event last year, with estimated crowds of 7,000 having come together for a day of fun in 2017. This year’s free-of-charge event is expected to bring in thousands of people yet again. 

The day will start with a parade from Croydon High Street’s North End at 11.30am walking to the main event site in Wandle Park, and is set to include a wide range of live music and acts, all accompanied by food and drinks stalls in the park. Those attending with an urge to dance can take advantage of the PrideFest dedicated dance tent in Wandle Park until festivities conclude at 10pm. 

Confirmed acts include Asifa Lahore, star of Channel 4’s ‘Muslim Drag Queens’, and singer songwriter Christopher Haul. Asifa will host the event in the afternoon and Christopher in the evening. Other acts will be available on the Croydon Pride website in the coming weeks. To make Croydon PrideFest 2018 an even greater success, the organisers are reaching out to local companies, community groups and organisations to become ‘community supporters’ and sponsors. 

Councillor Oliver Lewis, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport (with a responsibility for equality and inclusion), commented by saying: “PrideFest is an important part of our community and this event shows how open and inclusive Croydon is. That’s why the Council is thoroughly pleased to sponsor this event. Croydon’s community spirit is amazing and we’ll always support it in whatever way we can. So let’s all come together for a great day, and I’m sure the weather will be kind to us!” 

Paula Goodwin, Chair of Croydon Pride, commented: “We’re really grateful to Croydon Council for their support via sponsorship, because without our sponsors the day would not be possible. Last year was a great day and a big success, and we’re very grateful to the wider community for their support as well. The event is still welcoming new sponsors, so if you’re interested in getting your organisation involved please let us know.”