Pride Events Boost For Our Region With Double-Header This Weekend

A boost to Pride events across Tees Valley will see two new events added to the region’s calendar.

All five of our boroughs will host Pride Events in the coming months with Hartlepool Pop-up Pride, taking place on Saturday (6 July) and the very first Cleveland Pride, in Saltburn, on Sunday (7 July).

Money from the Combined Authority’s Festival Collectives Challenge Fund has helped the events grow with the leadership of Hartlepool-based charity Curious Arts.

Stockon will host its own Pop-up Pride event on Saturday, 27 July, while Darlington’s Pride Weekender will take place over Saturday 10 July, Sunday 11 July, and Monday, 12 July.

Middlesbrough’s own Pride event will go ahead on Saturday, 28 September, in association with Middlesbrough Town Hall, Middlesbrough Council and Orange Pip Market.

Curious Arts is a LGBTQIA+ arts and youth charity which has successfully secured funding from the Combined Authority to bring together local voluntary committees to make vibrant, inclusive Pride events happen across the region.

Its aim is to visibly champion LGBTQIA+ culture through five local Pride events, artist commissions, awareness training and volunteer and skills development opportunities.

Phil Douglas, CEO of Curious Arts, said: “When designing Pride in Tees Valley, it was paramount that each Pride event truly reflected the LGBTQIA+ communities and localities they celebrate.

“The contribution of our advisory committees has been pivotal in shaping events which will deliver just that.

“At Curious Arts we believe every town deserves their own Pride – to create a safe environment where all are welcome to be proud together.

“We’re really grateful to the Tees Valley Combined Authority for their investment and recognition of the impact made possible for LGBTQIA+ communities across the area.”

Hartlepool Pop-up Pride will see free events across the town centre with plenty going on in Hartlepool Art Gallery, Church Square, the Northern School of Art, and the Community Hub Central from 11am.

Meanwhile, Cleveland Pride will feature a sandcastle competition from 10am – 11am down at Saltburn Beach, live performances at the Marine Parade Picnic Site and crafts and events at Saltburn Arts and Saltburn Library.

Charlie Kemp, Head of Creative Place at Tees Valley Combined Authority, said: “Festivals and events have a vital role to play in creating shared moments between communities, being a magnetic pull for visitors and strengthening a sense of local identity.

“We’re delighted to be supporting Pride in Tees Valley – a critical new addition to our creative ecosystem – which celebrates diversity and creates energising, safe and welcoming programmes for LGBTQIA+ audiences and allies.

“Tees Valley is for everyone!”

To find out more about volunteering for the events, go here.