Apply to join the Blackpool Pride Parade here
Saturday 8th June 2024, 11am
This years theme is “Together we are Stronger!”
This year’s Blackpool Pride Festival Parade will start at the Sandcastle/South Pier. We will then be heading along the promenade towards North Pier.
We will finish at North Pier where we will disperse onto Princess Parade behind the Metropole Hotel.
The parade route is a total of 3km (1.85 miles).
We want to see as many vehicles and walkers as possible. This can be anything from a dressed-up shopping trolley or mobility scooter to a van or a huge flatbed lorry.
The theme for Pride this year is, ‘Together we are Stronger’ – we would encourage if possible, to use this theme to inspire your group, however you can simply use your organisation colours/theme. Please feel free to use music and dance and bring lots of colour. Let the LGBTQ+ flag fly high!
Terms and Conditions
The parade should be lots of fun, whilst ensuring safety always.
For this reason, the following rules for vehicle and walking group entries must be understood and agreed.
The conditions of entry have been drawn up in accordance with guidelines set by Blackpool Borough Council, Lancashire Constabulary, Health and Safety Executive and other statutory bodies.
Your application is a legal contract formed between yourselves and Blackpool Pride Festival and this contract is binding at all times during the event. It is your responsibility to adhere to these conditions.
General Rules for All Entries
- The parade running order and in the event of a dispute the decision of the parade organisers is final.
- No part of any entry can contain inappropriate content or conduct that would be likely to offend (if unsure, please contact us for advice).
- No collections (except for Blackpool Pride Festival).
- No throwing objects.
- If you hand out leaflets (information only, no commercial advertisements), you are responsible for any potential littering.
- Pride and their sponsors will not be responsible jointly or severally for any loss, damage or injury to entrants or property, you are advised to take out your own liability insurance.
- Pride reserves the right to cancel the event at short notice and to change the rules of entry.
- Vehicle entrants will not be permitted after the closing date for application has expired.
- No merchandise to be sold at any time during the parade.
- Please do not approach or respond to any groups that may be demonstrating against Blackpool Pride Festival in the crowd. Please report any such individuals to the nearest steward or police officer.
- If you attend the parade and have given false information about your intentions to support Blackpool Pride Festival and intend to cause disruption or upset, we will uphold our right to refuse entry to the parade.
Vehicle/Float Entries
- Driver to send a copy of a valid driver’s licence, MOT certificate and insurance documents one month before the day of the parade to parade@blackpoolpride.org
- Please ensure that the insurance covers the day of the parade in the cover period.
- Driver must have 180-degree clear vision at the front and sides of the vehicle.
- Vehicle must be fully serviced and maintained to a standard that is required to drive on public roads.
- Any vehicle that is deemed unsafe to drive by a Blackpool Pride Festival representative will be refused entry to the parade.
- Drivers must keep their maximum speed of 5 mph and follow instructions from stewards to slow down or speed up leaving a safe distance between other floats and walking groups.
- A fire extinguisher is advised for all large vehicles and must be positioned in a place that can be seen and reached.
- Naked flames are strictly prohibited.
- Decorations must be made from fire retardant materials.
- Electrical systems – correct approved and PAT tested cable and made secure.
- Organisations to complete their own risk assessment that should be available upon request.
- No jumping on and off a moving vehicle.
- Nothing to be thrown into the crowd from vehicle.
Walking Groups
- Remain with your walking party in your allocated position until the parade has ended.
- Walking groups of less than 6 can complete an application form on the day.
- All other walking groups of 6 or more must apply before the closing date.
What happens now?
If you have read all the terms and conditions and agree, please complete the application form.
Please send copies of any further documents that may be appropriate for your group such as a risk assessment or insurance policy to parade@blackpoolpride.org.
Please remember to send a copy of your full drivers’ licence, MOT certificate and insurance document with the application form. If you are unable to do this immediately, that’s ok. Just complete the application form and you can send the documents one month before the day of the parade.
Once your application has been received, a confirmation email will be sent to you.
You will be kept up to date with any major changes regarding the parade by email. Alternatively, up to date information on all the Blackpool Pride Festival events can be found on our Facebook page.
All entries will receive an information brief approx. two weeks before the day. This will tell you what you need to do on the day of the parade, what time to arrive and the location of your registration point and your allocated steward.
Please be prepared to arrive by 10am. A time slot will be allocated to you depending on your place in the parade.
In the unlikely event that the parade is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, you will be informed at the earliest opportunity.
