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The Huddersfield Pink Picnic celebrated its 21st birthday on the last Sunday of July with a spectacular fanfare of fun, frivolity and fundraising.
The exceptional sunny weather together with some significant changes in the organisation of the event this year made for a real birthday bash for the 4,000-plus people who made their way to Huddersfield’s Castle Hill.
Teresa Millward, Chairwoman of the Pink Picnic, told Shout! that this year’s picnic was very much a community-run event with a new committee made up of a cross-section of people across the Kirklee’s lgbt community. ‘I really believe the six months of hard work and planning has really paid off, the entrance donations will contribute towards the continuation of the Pink Picnic, as well as The Brunswick Centre and other local lgbt groups.’
The fun started just after lunch as the picnic was officially opened by Mark Carter - Huddersfield’s very own Mr Gay UK - who welcomed the crowd and thanked his colleagues and supporters for a ‘superb year in office’.
The huge main stage played host to amongst others, The Pride Sisters, Soraya Vivian, Jess Gardham and Secret’s Out, and DJ Marky Mark ensured the Pennines pulsated with some camp classics and a prize winning karaoke final.
To complement the entertainment, there were lots of market and information stalls, including The West Yorkshire Fire Service, The Brunswick Centre and several trade unions. Local gay author, Narvel S Annable made the trip from his home in Derbyshire to sign copies of his books and provide a sneak preview of his eagerly anticipated new title Secret Summer.
The Pink Picnic in Huddersfield remains the largest free Pride festival in Yorkshire; set in beautiful surroundings, the town is right to be proud of 21 years celebrating lgbt diversity.
Words and pics: Paul Hunt
Lots more pictures here
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