June 1st marked the first day of Pride Month as Waterford City and County Council celebrates LGBTQ+ people, culture and communities.
To mark the start of Pride Month, Cllr. Damien Geoghegan, along with members of the Dungarvan Pride Committee raised the Pride flag outside the Dungarvan Civic Offices.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural Pride Festival in Dungarvan, 2023 sees the town’s festival returning bigger, brighter and better.
Emilene Stafford, Dungarvan Pride committee co-chair, is promising a festival that not only celebrates LGBTQ+ people, culture and communities, but is an inclusive festival to be enjoyed by all.
“Last year’s festival was phenomenal and the positive feedback we received was the catalyst for us to make this year’s Pride Festival even better, featuring cinema screenings, information sessions and of course, Dungarvan’s second-ever Pride Festival. On June 8th we have a special screening of To Wong Foo at Dungarvan Cinema. On June 15th there will be an open parent and family information session, hosted by Chillout LGBTI+ Youth Project, which provides a safe supportive community for LGBTQ+ people and their families.
“Dungarvan Pride Festival takes place in Walton Park on Saturday, June 17th. The line-up will feature MC and local Drag Queen Lady Fifi Fondue on the main stage with live music from AVI & Changing Channels, Understarling, Drag King Phil T Gorgeous, Lip Sync Battle and Edgar Kirby School of Performing Arts. Walton Park will be jam-packed with activities for everyone to enjoy, such as The Wobbly Circus Jugglers, Acrobats & Aerial trapeze artists, Junior Einstein Science Club, along with The Dog Lady Dog Show, Fairy House Building with Catherine Barron, and a selection of food and beverage trucks.”
Cllr. Geoghegan added, “What struck me about last year’s Pride festival was the colour, the warmth, the diversity and the sense of belonging. Dungarvan prides itself on being an inclusive town, and that was more than evident last year as young and old, gay and straight people, experienced that inclusivity throughout the month.
However, each of us has a responsibility to not just be welcoming and accepting each June, but every day of the year.”
In Waterford city, The Pride of the Déise committee has organised a jam-packed weekend celebration of LGBTQ+ people and communities. Running from Friday, June 2nd to Monday, June 6th, the programme includes the Pride March, The Cultural Quarter Block Party, GAYncient History at Manor Tree Youth and Community Centre and back by popular demand PRIDE Ride Greenway Cycle from Bilberry to Kilmeaden.
More information and the full programme of events for Pride of the Déise can be viewed at https://prideofthedeise.ie/
Pride Dungarvan and Pride of the Déise are proudly supported by Waterford City and County Council.
