Redditch Pride back for fourth running to bring a 'vibrant celebration' of inclusivity
This year's event is taking place in the town today (6 June)
Organisers of Redditch Pride have highlighted the importance of events like theirs continuing to be held to bring people together.
The fourth annual running of it is to take place today (6 June) in the town centre after it was initially set-up back in 2023, with it aiming to bring a "vibrant celebration" of inclusivity, community spirit and self expression to the area.
This time around it's also operating as a community interest company (CIC), which director Jamie Freemantle said was done with the view to having this year "exponentially much bigger than last year", adding they were hoping to see an increase in the footfall from a few thousand to "maybe 8 to 9,000 throughout the day".
"Pride in Redditch isn't just a day out, it's about visibility, it's about support, it's about people feeling like they belong in their own town in Redditch," he said.
"If we don't keep showing up and making space for it, it disappears, and that for the Redditch Pride is just not an option.
"It's just about being yourself, not apologising for it and just to look out for each other, it's about respect, inclusion, proving that communities are stronger when everyone's a part of it and not to be pushed to the side."
Mr Freemantle added that with it also being the date of the D-Day anniversary they had "worked closely" with the Redditch British Legion (RBL) and the armed services to understand how it could collaborate, and pieces for it will be included in its running.
The pride parade is set to get proceedings underway from the bandstand at 11am, with Hereford pride also taking place today from 10am.