Building on the success of last year’s Galway Pride Festival, local businessman Bruce Henry is returning to lead the event again in 2017.
Announcing the dates of the festival, which will run from August 11 to 20, Henry described the changes that are planned for this year’s festivities and its organising committee as necessary but exciting.
“We scaled very quickly in a short period of time last year, and like any organisation we encountered some growing pains. Since then, we have gone back to the drawing board and, in consultation with other festival committees, we have re-structured the organisation and made it more robust, more accountable, and more productive.
“The changes are needed to ensure the festival’s responsible growth and I am confident that they will be welcomed positively by the community and will only serve to ensure a better Pride for the city.”
When asked why the festival was being extended from seven to 10 days this year, Henry explained; “We want as many people as possible to join in the celebrations, so naturally, two weekends of activities are better than one.”
Record numbers of people attended the programme of events last year which included information evenings, a sold out comedy night, the traditional boat cruise, festive parade, and main event party at the Black Box.
“We will be adding to the festival programming this year,” said Henry. “There will be more workshops, more educational and family events, hopefully more floats in the parade, and more reasons to get out and celebrate individuality, self-expression, and most importantly, pride.”
Galway Pride Festival will be holding its first fundraiser of the year on February 24 in the Cellar Bar downstairs for a Britney Spears Dance Party. Entry is €5 and all proceeds go to The Galway Pride Festival 2017.
A public meeting on Galway Pride Festival 2017 is to be announced later in the month, with Bruce Henry calling for anyone interested in getting involved to make contact through the website at www.galwaypridefestival.com
For more information contact 085-7821753 or email [email protected].
