Roscommon Pride announces events line-up
Roscommon Pride has announced its jam-packed events line up for its second LGBTQ+ festival, which takes place from 22-24 August.
The streets of the county town will be rainbow coloured again as Roscommon Pride kicks off on Friday August 22nd with an evening of poetry and music in Rogue & Co, hosted by poet and Roscommon Pride Grand Marshall Jane Clarke. Jane will be joined by the musical duo Harpello. Immediately afterwards, drag queen Donatella will host Drag Bingo in the Red Parrot from 8pm until late.
Saturday 23rd August will begin with a Drag Brunch hosted by drag queen Donatella and Roscommon drag king Viktor Complex from 11.30am to 1pm in Gleeson’s. For those not attending the brunch the Quad is the place to be where there will be face painting and festivities in preparation for the Pride March, which will kick off at 2.30pm, starting at the Quad and marching as far as Loughnaneane Park. The Pride March represents the heart of the festival, with people coming together in the spirit of celebration and protest to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
There will be a family fun day in Loughnaneane Park from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday 23rd August, with performers, dance, drag, music and singing. There will also be a ‘Pooch of Pride’ contest for dog lovers, as well as balloon making, a petting farm, circus performers and craft stalls.
Saturday’s festivities will end with the official Pride After Party in Oscars Bar from 8pm until late. The after-party will see some of Ireland’s most iconic drag performers storming the stage.
The festival will end on Sunday 24th with a ‘Wellness Day’ in Loughnaneane Park, which includes a Family Fun Colour Run at 11am, Laughter Yoga for Young People, a Ceremony of Love and Remembrance where the community will come together to remember those we’ve lost, a Mindfulness, Yoga and Wellness Talk, a Health Habits Talk, and a Rainbow Sing Song.
Roscommon Pride will also put a spotlight on sexual health with free rapid HIV and syphilis testing in the Roscommon Volunteer Centre on Friday August 22nd from 5pm-7pm.
For more information and to purchase tickets or to register for any events, please visit www.roscommonpride.ie.
Will Keane, organiser with Roscommon Pride, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing Pride back to Roscommon for a second year running. This year’s festival promises to be a powerful, fun-filled weekend that celebrates and champions the LGBTQ+ community.
“The local community’s support for Pride last year meant so much to us, and we hope that people will visit and join our events from all over again this year. Our events are open to all — our goal is to create safe, inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people and allies in Roscommon.”
