THIS Saturday, a carnival atmosphere will hit the town centre as Pride and Wonder in The Street brighten up St Helens.
As part of St Helens' year as the Liverpool City Region's Borough of Culture, St Helens Pride and outdoor theatre festival, Wonder In The Street, will return for a full day dedicated to celebrating the local LGBTQ+ community, with people from all walks of life encouraged to come out to support, spread the love and enjoy the fabulous free entertainment on offer.
Kicking off with a Pride parade outside St Helens Town Hall at 11.45am on Saturday, July 15 members of the LGBTQ+ community will be joined by representatives from a number of groups and organisations, including St Helens Council, the NHS and Merseyside Police - creating a carnival-like atmosphere as they make their way into Church Square where a whole host of acts await.
Meanwhile, charity and arts organisation Wonder Arts - which creates unique experiences for more than 50,000 children, young people, and families across the North West every year - will be getting in on the act this year with an outdoor theatre festival, featuring a Big Gay Disco Bike, Family Catwalk Extravaganza and The Most Dangerous Cup of Tea in the World – while the brilliant Dizzy O’Dare will return with ‘The Giant Balloon Show’ in which families can expect feverous balloon sculptures, high energy comic performance and of course the all-important giant balloon.
Wonder Arts will also be unveiling a brand-new piece of artwork created with Artist Michelle Wren and young people from the LGBTQ+ community.
Funded by National Lottery Community Fund ‘Be Your Own Cup of Tea’ is a celebration of what makes us all unique and special.
Throughout the day, families can also get creative and hands-on with some Pride-related crafts and even learn to fly with the brilliant acrobatic mother daughter duo, All Ways Good Company – with a craft event also on between 10.30am to 12.30pm in St Helens Library, based in the World of Glass Museum.
Cllr Anthony Burns, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage, said: “As a council which recognises the importance of celebrating diversity, we are delighted to see the return of St Helens Pride and to be joining forces with our friends at Wonder Arts, who have a brilliant track-record of bringing quality inclusive theatre into St Helens, to deliver one big celebration event during our year as Borough of Culture.
“If the turnout is anything like previously, it’s sure to be a great occasion and I’d encourage residents and local businesses to get fully behind this event which spreads nothing but love and good vibes.”
Chief Executive of Wonder Arts, Fay Lamb said: “At Wonder Arts we believe that magical, artistic experiences have the power to change lives. We are thrilled to be returning this summer with our annual Wonder In the Street Festival for families and we are absolutely delighted to be presenting it alongside the fabulous St Helens Pride celebrations. We can’t wait to welcome even more families to our world of fun, creativity, inspiration and wonder”.
St Helens Pride and Wonder In The Street will take place in Church Square, St Helens Town Centre, on Saturday, July 15, with Wonder in the Street getting underway at 10am and St Helens Pride at 11.45am.
For upcoming Borough of Culture events, visit culturesthelens.co.uk
For further information about the wonderful shows coming to Wonder In the Street, visit the Wonder Arts website www.wonderarts.co.uk
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