The city’s first large-scale Pride Festival on Saturday was a resounding success, drawing crowds of over 2,000.
Popstar and X Factor finalist Amelia Lily headlined the event in Town Hall Square, which celebrated the city’s diversity and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Fellow X Factor contestant Christopher Maloney, burlesque troupe Beguiled and a Lady GaGa tribute act were amongst the performers who took to the Gender Bender stage from 2pm to 6.30pm.
Hosting the festival, which was organised by Lion’s Pride LGBT Network, were local drag queens Penni T and Wanda Why.
Manager of Community Services at Cheshire West and Chester Council, David Redpath-Smith said: “We thought the day was a great success and we were really pleased with the turnout.
“There was something for everyone and we were pleased to see so many families come along.”
He added: “It really was a city-wide event. We got great support from our sponsors, who included Brio Leisure, Mad Hatters, Mecca Bingo and Nando’s.”
The festivities were kicked off with a flash mob organised by Brio, who invited members of the public to learn the dance routine on youtube beforehand.
Brio also offered attendees the chance to try their hand at pole dancing with free lessons.
Mr Redpath-Smith said they were hopeful that Pride would become an annual event and that some of this year’s acts had expressed an interest in performing again next year.
The artist’s network Funky Aardvark ran an interactive art experience whereby both adults and children helped to create the t-shirt design for next year’s Chester Pride.
A small group of people wielding religious placards protested peacefully in the square during the festivities.
Mr Redpath-Smith said: “This group is known to the council because they have protested at many events celebrating minorities and race equality in the past.
“The council has had the rainbow flag flying for the last week in support of Pride and received a complaint about it.”
“Everyone is entitled to their right to free speech. We expected some issues but the vast majority of people in attendance were very supportive.”
An opposition group gathered in reaction to the protesters, holding up banners with messages of support and countering scripture.
