The 2009 campaign to host the LGBT Blackpool Pride festival kicks off with a launch evening on Thursday 29th January. It is expected to be a fun-packed night of camp, fun and frivolity hosted at the Mardi Gras by Miss Stella Artois and Miss Roxy Hart.

Auctions, raffles and a superb entertainment line up will all contribute to bringing in much needed funds to bolster efforts to stage this year’s main event.

In an unprecedented move, the Pride Committee have won preliminary Council support to relocate this year’s main event, on Saturday and Sunday 16th and 17th May, to Dickson Road in the heart of the ‘Gay Village’.

In a statement Mark Seargent, Chairman of Blackpool Pride said “4 or 5 years ago it simply would not have been an option to close down one of the busiest roads in the resort, but the credibility the Pride Management Committee have secured since their formation has allowed this fantastic event to become a realistic proposition.” He acknowledged that there was still a long way to go and many obstacles to overcome if the event is to become a reality but went on to say “Pride has always worked exceptionally closely with the local authorities and other agencies such as the Lancashire Constabulary and we will continue to do so to ensure that this groundbreaking date on Blackpool’s annual calendar of events is a true success story.”

Website: www.prideblackpool.com