Raise your flag at Pretoria Pride 2016 – All the details

Now in its fourth year, Pretoria Pride 2016 returns to the Centurion Rugby Club on Saturday 1 October, under the theme of: “Come raise your flag in unity.”

The gates open at 9am, followed by the bar and the start of entertainment, both at 10am. The march will kick off at 12pm and will return to the venue at around 1pm.

“We have listened to what people said last year and are trying our best with very little funding to improve everything,” said Pretoria Pride’s Emil Faber.

“We have rented six stretch tents for the day to make sure that there is enough shade and we are also getting 180 benches and tables in order to provide a lot more seating.”

The event will include fleamarket and community stalls and food vendors, as well as HIV testing services. The main bar will be around three times larger than last year. There will be ATMs and credit card and Zapper payment facilities.

The entertainment will feature a host of DJs, drag performers and singers to keep the crowd dancing and laughing throughout the day.

GaySA Radio – which has already made a huge impact on the LGBT community through its successful campaign against Pastor Steven Anderson – will be officially launched at Pretoria Pride. It will also be broadcasting live from the event.

While entry is free to Pretoria Pride, the Clubhouse will offer an enclosed VIP area with paid access (R100 pre-sale and R150 on the day). The space will be larger than last year; a section of the Clubhouse will be covered with a stretch tent, while an extra bar has been added to reduce queues.

Clubhouse tickets are available at Ratz, Trouble bar and Babylon or via emilfaber@mweb.co.za (till Wed 28 September) or at the door on the day.

Participants have been advised to make use of the parking behind SuperSport Park and are reminded that no cooler boxes will be allowed. Food and drinks also cannot be brought into the venue.

“It is a free event and the only way we can raise funds is to sell food and drinks,” said Faber, noting that, “There is no drinking of alcohol during the parade but water and cool drinks will be for sale on the route.”

He added: “We are really looking forward to this year and know that it is going to be a great day!”