Chichester Pride bursts to life with seven hours of fun and frolics as it returns to the city for its third edition.
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00:00 Good afternoon, my name is Phil Hewitt, Greek Arts Editor at Sussex Newspapers. Always fabulous
00:07 to speak to Dawn Gracie, looking exceedingly glamorous today, making me feel like I've
00:12 made no effort whatsoever. Now, Dawn, you are leading the charge with Chichester Pride,
00:17 which enters its third edition at Chichester College on May 25. Chichester Pride has established
00:24 itself so incredibly quickly, hasn't it? And you must be so pleased with the progress and
00:29 so looking forward to the day, May the 20th. Yes, it's honestly, I can't believe we're
00:34 year three already. We've been overwhelmed and overjoyed at how well Chichester has embraced
00:40 this event. And I mean, it wouldn't be where it is without the early days support of people
00:45 like Chichester College, the council's bid. So yeah, we're just... Chichester Observer
00:51 Team. I mean, a special mention to you, Phil, and the whole Chichester Observer Team for
00:56 genuinely always supporting every aspect of what we're doing. So thank you, genuinely.
01:01 It's a pleasure. Are you surprised how quickly it's progressed? Or do you think it was always
01:06 the right time? I think it was the right time. The world's
01:09 ever-changing. And of course, we were stopped in our tracks with the lockdown and Covid.
01:15 So it felt like it was a new world to launch into. And what better time, you know? And
01:20 if not now, then when? And why is it going to be such fun on the
01:24 day, do you think? I mean, well, obviously, we have the parade,
01:28 which is the first ever. History being made. And that's happening just before the main
01:34 event. And then the actual festival event is happening at the college. And it is a huge
01:40 candy store, sweet shop bag of entertainment. We've got a bigger, better, higher stage.
01:47 And of course, we're at the front of the college this year. So it's very visible. I've booked
01:51 all kinds of acts. And this is the year, the first year ever we've got a RuPaul's Drag
01:55 Race UK star in the form of something. We're very excited.
02:00 And as you say, it's a family day, isn't it? And it's very much for straight allies as
02:05 well, isn't it? It's not just the community, it's the Pride community.
02:08 It is. It's for everyone in the rainbow. And of course, allies like myself are also very,
02:13 very important as well. So we really appreciate it. And it is a family festival. So the content
02:18 of the entertainment and the workshops that we've got going are family focused. And also
02:24 we have BSL interpreters as well. So we've really tried to cover everything we possibly
02:30 can and grow year on year.
02:31 In a bigger stage than ever. Higher, bigger, better.
02:35 Yes. Bigger, higher. And the past few years, the previous positions of it, the sun would
02:41 be setting, the beautiful, glorious sun, right at the wrong point of the stage. So this year,
02:46 at the front of the college, we've got the beautiful backdrop of the Cathedral Spire.
02:50 I mean, what could be more iconic than that?
02:52 A new position at the front of the college that makes you so much more visible. And this
02:56 is all about visibility, isn't it?
02:59 It is. That is what Pride's about. And yes, and all of our wonderful sponsors who get
03:03 their big logos and banners showing their support will be visible from the road at the
03:07 front of the college. So yes, visibility, inclusivity and diversity is what it's all
03:12 about.
03:13 Fantastic. And so the Pride parade is in the morning and then Pride itself starts when?
03:19 Yes. So the Richard Plowman, our lovely town crier, will be ringing the bell at 12 o'clock
03:24 where the gates will be opening. And if you are there early and the queue's happening,
03:28 the big noise samba band will be entertaining the queue. So there's going to be lots of
03:32 entertainment before it even starts. And then the stage starts at 12.30 and goes on till
03:38 seven o'clock. So it's a whole full day, fully scheduled. So we've got guest hosts in the
03:44 form of Cherry Liqueur, RJ Campenough. We've got so many drag kings, drag queens, community
03:50 groups, choirs, everything.
03:51 Fantastic. Really lovely to speak to you. I love the look, Dawn. Thank you very much.
03:57 I don't know what you mean. This is just a casual, everyday look, Phil.
04:02 Sadly, this is.
04:05 We'll work on it. We'll work on it. Thank you so much for your support as ever, Phil.
04:08 We really appreciate it.
04:09 A pleasure. Lovely to speak to you. Thank you.
04:10 Thank you.