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13 November 2014

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You are in: Berkshire > Entertainment > Arts features > Reading Pride 2008

Two Drag Queens

Drag queens at Reading Pride

Reading Pride 2008

Become a saint or a sinner for the fifth Reading Pride on Saturday August 30 2008. Find out more about the event staged by the local gay community at King's Meadow.

30.08.08 | midday | Kings Meadow Park | Reading | parade from Wynford Arms King's Road at 11am

On Saturday August 30 Kings Meadow will be transformed into a scene from TheÌýAdventures Of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert with drag queens, cabaret acts andÌýmusicians waving their feather boas live on stage.

There's also a very special theme to this year's proceedings.

A drag queen

Not the only gays in the village!?

"We've chosen saints and sinners", says Jamie Wake, Reading Pride's press and media officer.Ìý

Ìý"The whole site will be in this theme. For example one of theÌýVIP areas will look like heaven while the other will be made up to look likeÌýhell".

He added: "We're also getting funding from various places to do workshops and help people make their own costumes".

Take a look at the pictures from 2007:

The parade kicks off at 11am from the Wynford Arms, Kings Road.

Reading Pride

Reading Pride

The colourful procession will make its way through the town centre before arriving at Kings Meadow, when the festival opens at midday.

Reading Pride 2008 is expected to pull in its largest crowd ever, hoping to attract 7,000 people.

Though it costsÌý almost £30,000 to put on,Ìýit brings in around £330,000 for the localÌýcommunity. The charity also does a huge amount to raise awareness:

"From the perspective of the gay community it gives us a voice and a presence says Jamie. "We're hoping that all the events we put on through theÌýyear can help eliminate discrimination".

The charity doesn't just focus on Reading Pride. Throughout the yearÌýthey're busy helping other worthwhile organisations.

Crowds enjoying the beer tent

People enjoying the beer tent

"We do a lot of fundraising, whether this is for smaller organisations thatÌýreally do need help with their phone lines or youth groups.

"Now we can actually make grants to other organisations once we see the goodÌý profits from the event come through the doors".

This year's Pride organisers have a few surprises up their sleeve which will help add even more glitz and sparkle to the day.

If you fancy getting involved in this year's Reading Pride visit their officialÌý website for more information:

last updated: 29/08/2008 at 11:49
created: 23/05/2008

You are in: Berkshire > Entertainment > Arts features > Reading Pride 2008

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