CARMARTHEN Pride 2024 was a vibrant celebration of diversity and community, held on Saturday (Aug 31). The event began with a lively parade outside St. Peter’s Church at 11 AM, where participants gathered at 10:30 AM. A special Pup Parade kicked off earlier at 10:15 AM from Baileys Dog Cafe, showcasing beloved pets accessorised with pride flags.
From 11:30 AM to 5 PM, attendees enjoyed a variety of stalls, entertainment, and activities at St. Peter’s Civic Hall and St. Catherine’s Walk, celebrating in an after-party at Rainbow’s End starting at 7 PM. The after-party featured a DJ, fabulous drag acts, and live music, ensuring the celebration continued into the night.
The parade route, filled with colour commenced outside St. Peter’s Church, proceeding down King Street, through Notts Square, and Guildhall Square, before looping back to Notts Square for more festivities. Accessible viewing locations were situated at zone 1 and zone 2, for participants who could not march in the parade.
Zone 1 was bustling with an indoor market at St. Peter’s Civic Hall, offering a diverse array of stalls. Notts Square transformed into a hub of live entertainment, including an open mic, caravan cinema, circus skills, face painting, and more.
Zone 2 provided a space for those seeking a calmer environment, hosted by Donuts and Dragons, Carmarthen’s Board Game Cafe.
Zone 3 at St. Catherine’s Walk showcased outdoor stalls, street food, and an indoor market at Carmarthen Enterprise Hub, featuring a fabulous photo booth.
Zone 4 welcomed attendees to enjoy a complimentary breakfast from St. John’s Ambulance, with activities and stalls run by local emergency services throughout the day.
The daytime stage lineup was extraordinary, featuring performances from Taiko for Pride, Stephen, Serenity, and Rhys/Gloria Ystaffan, among others. Tickets for the evening’s performances at Rainbow’s End were in high demand, with an exciting lineup including Catrin Feelings, Astro Wild, Jay, and Branwen.
To check out the exciting happenings of Carmarthen Pride, click HERE to visit their Facebook page, where you’ll find updates and great photos from the event. You can also visit their Linktree page HERE to connect with their other social media accounts and support them through their GoFundMe link.
Carmarthenshire started celebrating Pride, with the first official event happening in 2022. The Carmarthenshire LGBTQ+ Project organised a Pride Walk in Carmarthen Park, where people waved flags and banners to support the LGBTQ+ community. Sadly, the first event didn’t have much input from the community.
In 2023, the event improved, with more community involvement, but it was still mainly run by businesses.
By 2024, the celebration was organised by the community for the community, transforming it into a more inclusive and vibrant Pride event in Carmarthenshire. Locals came together to celebrate love and acceptance, wearing colourful clothing, often decorated with rainbows and bold patterns. Many participants wore vibrant makeup and accessories that showcased their unique styles. Individuals of various sexual orientations and gender, alongside allies, friends, and family, all united in support of equality.
Pride promotes visibility, allowing voices to be heard and celebrated, while also raising awareness of ongoing issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community. By coming together, we not only honour our differences but also strengthen the bonds that unite us as a community.
