Guildford Celebrates Hosting 5th Anniversary of Pride in Surrey

Guildford Celebrates Hosting 5th Anniversary of Pride in Surrey

We proudly announce our role as the host town for the 5th anniversary celebration of Pride in Surrey, set to unfold at Stoke Park on Saturday, 21 September 2024. The festivities will kick off with a vibrant parade up the High Street, leading attendees to a day-long festival at the park.

Cllr Julia McShane, Leader of the Council, extends a warm welcome: “We have immense pride in our diverse community, which includes a high representation of LGBTQ+ residents. Recognising the significance this event has to our residents, we’re honoured to support Pride in Surrey's annual event at Stoke Park.
“This celebration is more than just an event, it’s a testament to our dedication to inclusivity and honouring the vibrant individuals who enrich our community with diversity. As a council and as a community, we cherish these values and look forward to celebrating them together.” This milestone event marks the evolution of Pride in Surrey since it began in 2019, when its first Pride event was held in Woking. Over the years, Pride in Surrey has grown, bringing annual celebrations to various towns across the county and now, it continues its journey with this momentous occasion in Guildford.

Cllr Catherine Houston, Lead Councillor for Commercial Services, added: “Being selected to host Pride in Surrey is an honour that we wholeheartedly embrace. I often refer to Guildford as 'the jam in the Surrey doughnut,' so it's truly gratifying to be recognised as the ideal location for this milestone celebration. Pride in Surrey is a highly anticipated and well-attended event, and our selection reaffirms our reputation as a premier destination for significant gatherings, supported by our outstanding facilities. We’re grateful for the dedicated teams that maintain our community spaces and support event organisers, enabling us to warmly welcome such impactful events.” The celebration promises to be a spectacular showcase of LGBTQ+ pride from across Surrey. Featuring a diverse array of activities and entertainment for people of all ages, Stoke Park will be transformed into a vibrant space filled with live music, performances and food vendors celebrating LGBTQ+ culture and heritage.

Managing Director of Pride in Surrey, Charlie Watts, said: "I am thrilled to be bringing Pride to Guildford this year to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Pride in Surrey. Each year we anticipate a significant economic boost to our host town on Pride Day. With a yearly average of £350,000 being generated on the day of the event, we’re not only celebrating diversity and inclusion but also supporting local businesses and showcasing all that Guildford has to offer." 
The Pride in Surrey team are gearing up to share more details about this year’s event in the coming weeks. Tickets for the September event are now available via the Pride in Surrey website and are offered on a 'pay what you can basis' keeping Pride accessible for as many people as possible.