Pride weekend promises to spread the love around Carlow

THIS year’s Carlow Pride festival promises to be a veritable rainbow of colour and joy when it takes place this weekend on Sunday 13 July. People are asked to wear bright colours and their biggest smiles when they take part in the Pride parade, which starts at 2pm from Carlow College.

Expect to see some of the most colourful and flamboyant characters in the county as they walk the parade route, known as Sally’s Rainbow Road after founding Pride member Sally McDonald.

The parade will wind from the college through the town until it reaches its destination of Carlow Town Park. Local performer Sexy Tadhg and Eddie McGuinness will be the absolutely fabulous hosts at a free concert taking place there, featuring such acts as Christina Aguilera tribute act Xtina Live, New Avenue, Autumn X, Mary Ann and Dance Republic.

This year, a free after-party will take place in Tully’s Bar on Tullow Street. The festival has great local support, too, including from Carlow Credit Union and Carlow County Council.

“We want to make it a really fun, chilled festival. We’re making it as local as possible by giving local bands a chance. We’re spreading the love around Carlow. You don’t have to leave Carlow to have a great festival. Wear lots of colour and don’t forget the suncream,” said John Paul Payne, chairman of the festival.

A special pull-out supplement on the Carlow Pride Festival is published in today’s edition of The Nationalist.