Advertisement

Rainbow Pride Auckland have joined hands with Ponsonby Business Association to bring a ‘walking parade’ back to Ponsonby Road on Saturday 29 February.

In a joint statement released to express, the two groups said: “Ponsonby Road has long been regarded as the home of parades for the Rainbow Community. A place where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people feel safe to demonstrate diversity, inclusion, self-acceptance and pride, making the Ponsonby Street Festival the perfect opportunity for the Rainbow Pride Auckland Walking Parade.

Taking place on Saturday 29th February 2020, 5.30-7pm as part of the Ponsonby Street Festival, the Rainbow Pride Auckland Walking Parade will be an uplifting event bringing with it a carnival-style atmosphere, an abundance of fun, all the colours of the rainbow and a proud sense of community.

Advertisement

“This event will provide a safe place for everyone to have a voice. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate the importance of diversity and inclusion. Our communities both local and across Aotearoa deserve to celebrate their pride – the Rainbow Pride Auckland Walking Parade and Ponsonby Street Festival is the perfect occasion for this,” says Matt Bagshaw, chair of Rainbow Pride Auckland.

Participants will put on a visual spectacle capturing the spirit of pride – bringing together colour and community for their un-motorised floats. After the parade, everyone is encouraged to stay and enjoy the Ponsonby Street Festival with family-friendly entertainment, street activities, three main stages with live bands, and access to the many Ponsonby eateries.

Nigel Shanks, chair of the Ponsonby Business Association comments, “Ponsonby offers residents, visitors and business owners a melting pot of retail, hospitality, people and – most importantly – love and acceptance. Celebrating others is a common feature in the long and colourful history of Ponsonby and we are delighted we get to continue the tradition.”  

Details of both the route and participants will be shared closer to the time.

Advertisement