Wigan Pride is going virtual this year - streaming live on Friday night.
Pride celebrations in Wigan will not be stopped by lockdown and will instead be shown off in their full glory online.
The fifth annual Wigan Pride will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube, featuring music, poetry, inspirational speeches and entertainment from the LGBTQ+ community.
Favourite acts from previous years will unite on a socially distanced stage with new acts to promote kindness and acceptance with their family-friendly performances.
New for 2020, drag artist Aida H Dee will host her speciality Drag Queen Story Time for children and adults to enjoy. Aida has toured the UK with her popular story-telling, which aims to promote love and acceptance.
Borough band The Lottery Winners will also return to perform a socially distanced set and Definitely Dolly, artist Dani Graham who wowed the crowds last year with her Dolly Parton tribute, will this year be joined by brother Jordan Graham, for more classic country songs.
Pride committee spokesperson Dan Bonney said: “We’re so excited to welcome all of our acts to Wigan Pride 2020.
“This year we had to make the difficult decision to take the event online but we’re really happy with the line-up we’ve put together.
“We hope everyone will tune in and join us on Friday night.”
Other additions to the line-up include Pride favourite, Josh Robinson, North West singer songwriter, Zha Olu, local talents Kieran Gallagher and Kayley Hughes, and Wigan Council’s LGBTQ+ youth group, BYOU.
Original singer songwriter, Ella, 16, from Shevington, 17-year-old guitarist Jaydon, 17, from Bryn, and performance poet, Oskar, 17, from Ashton, will also be making their debuts.
Wigan Pride will be presented by host Vic Cook with 17-year old-Jace, from Whelley, and Alix, 14, from Wigan hosting and sign the young people’s section of the event on Friday.
Wigan Pride 2020 will be streamed from www.facebook.com/OfficialWiganPride and from the Wigan Pride YouTube channel from 6pm.
