Daventry Pride Event Success

Daventry's first Pride Party in the Park 2023 event took place on Friday 23 June 2023, at New Street Park, Daventry, between 3.30pm – 7.00pm.

The drop-in family-friendly celebrations showed support for the Daventry and surrounding areas' LGBTQ+ community and helped to promote equality, diversity and inclusivity within the district.

The party included music played by a live DJ and family-friendly entertainment, including a circus skills arena, face painter, and balloon modeller, which visitors could access for free. Local artist Binty Bint created an incredible Wall Art Mural, and Daventry dance troop Syndicate Dance performed a surprise 'flash mob' with 30 dancers, complete with confetti cannon, which spectators loved. There was also a small selection of commercial market stalls, including a bouncy castle and food traders selling yummy hot food and sweet treats.

Additionally, local community support groups, including Teen Clinic Daventry, Northamptonshire Mind, QSpace and The Lowdown, Northants Lesbian Society, and Daventry Police and Fire, were part of the event and on hand for anyone to chat with on the day. Q-Space provided a chill-out, calm space zone for spectators if they wished to take some time out.

Pride Month takes place every year in June and is a celebration designed to recognise the influence of the LGBTQ+ communities worldwide, including in the UK.

Daventry Mayor, Cllr Ted Nicholl, was in attendance and pleased to help support the event alongside Daventry Town Council.

Mr Nicholl said: "It was an honour to attend the first Daventry Pride Party in the Park event; it was great fun and enjoyed by families and visitors of all ages. It was fantastic to meet many agencies in attendance and learn more about their important work within the LGBTQ+ community. It is brilliant that Daventry can host such an inclusive and accessible celebration and for the town's wonderful retailers to show their support with their pride-inspired window displays and promotions."

Daventry Pride Party in the Park was a free event funded by West Northants Council with support from Daventry Town Council, Daventry Fire & Rescue, Cummins, Q Space, The Low Down & Discovery Daventry.