BOURNE FREE’s pride festival is set to take place on Friday August 20, and Saturday August 21, having been postponed last year due to the pandemic.

Events will take place over the course of both days in the town’s annual celebratory event of diversity.

On Friday there will be a family fun night followed by a parade march from Meyrick Park on Saturday which ends in the Triangle where a whole host of events take place.

Ahead of the event the Echo has compiled all the information you need to know about the festivities.

Friday August 21 - Family event

The family fun event will take place in the Triangle between 5pm and 9pm with a variety of entertainment in addition to free candy floss, popcorn and face painting.

Gates open from 4.30pm and while it is a ticketed event, due to Covid-19 regulations, it is free and has already allocated its 1500 tickets.

The Chairman of BCP Council, Cllr Nigel Hedges, will be opening the event.

Interactive bubble show, Squidge and Pop, will feature live on the main stage along with Chloe Akam, George Redwood and host Lea Martin.

Family entertainment will also be shown on the big screen and a variety of stalls offering games, food and drink will be on site.

This event will also raise funds for the Dorset Children’s Foundation.

Saturday August 20 - The parade

Kicking off events on Saturday is the parade which will begin at midday at Meyrick Park, the event’s home next year.

From the park it will walk towards the Town Hall where it will turn left along the central gardens, round past the Square and up to its finish point in the Triangle at around 1pm.

The theme for the parade this year is ‘stronger together’ and is set to have over 350 in attendance including the emergency services, and various groups.

Bournemouth Mayor, Cllr David Kelsey, will lead the parade alongside VIP guest Jill Nader; the inspiration behind the drama ‘It’s a Sin’.

Unfortunately this year the parade is only on foot but will feature a Dorset police car to head the march.

Saturday - Main Event

Once Saturday’s procession makes its way to the Triangle it will reach its final destination where a whole host of entrainment will be on offer between 1pm and 10.30pm.

Like the family fun night, the event will be ticketed and will only feature half the allocation of previous years due to Covid-19 regulations.

This event is for over 18’s only with the last remaining tickets available via Ticket Tailor for £14.

Headliners include RuPaul’s Drag Race star Veronica Green, DJ Brandon Block and singer Sabrina Washington, formerly of the girl band mis-teeq.

The event will also feature a variety of local acts and will be hosted by Lea Martin, Lucinda Lashes and Cosmic.

In addition to the main stage there will be a variety of stands and stalls offering food and refreshments.

The event is fully Covid-19 compliant and will be offering masks and sanitiser to users.

All staff and volunteers will be tested prior to the weekend.