Stafford Pride 2025 in pictures: Dancing in the street and free hugs on offer as Stafford celebrates its second Pride Festival

All the colours of the rainbow were represented in Stafford today for the town's second annual Pride Festival and there were even free hugs for those who needed them.

Music played and there was dancing in the street as hundreds of rainbow festooned festival goers bopped around town in the parade, which started at noon.

The parade began at noon and slowly danced its way through Stafford town centre stopping for selfies outside every landmark.

Groups, charities, companies, churches and organisations strode with pride displaying their support for the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Stafford and across the world. 

The first official UK Gay Pride Rally was held in London on July 1, 1972. Now, almost every Western city celebrates the contribution of its gay community. 

Stafford Pride only started last year and its founders stressed the festival does not get funded by taxpayers cash. Chairman Jack Taylor said: "We are responsible for organising Stafford Pride Festival & Parade. 

"Stafford Pride receives no central or local government funding and funds are instead raised in a variety of ways including donations, sponsorship and fundraising events."

Entrance to Victoria Park is £10 for adults. The fun will go on until 9.30pm.

Victoria Park hosted the festival where singers and bands performed on stage as revellers danced and enjoyed the atmosphere. 

There were stalls selling food and drink. Several charities also attended to raise awareness about their particular cause.  

Stafford Samaritans had a stall at Victoria Park, they said: "Proud to be celebrating Stafford Pride this weekend with our wonderful volunteers and raising awareness about our work. will be joining the Stafford Pride March this Saturday, as well as providing more information about our services throughout the day. We look forward to seeing you there."

However, pubs and clubs across the town also embraced Pride. Hogarths was decked out with rainbow flags and were offering free hugs all day.

The pub posted on social media: "Free hugs for anybody who can guess what is happening this Saturday Join us in celebrating Stafford Pride festival.

" We are open from 10am Saturday and as always welcoming all. Feel free to gather at the front whilst waiting for the parade or wet your whistle with a confident booster. The mood will be camp and or actions will be loud, united we stand."

Stafford Police Unison attended the event, they posted on social media: "Stafford Pride is today and is already getting very busy! Promises to be a great day." 

Pride visitor Jez Stanley said: "Every town has a different Pride, some are big and some are small. The most important thing that there is one. People fought for gay rights and we need to recognise that, even if it is only by dancing all night under a pride flag."