Get ready to wave those rainbow flags and paint the town pink boys and girls! Liverpool celebrates its first official Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender [LGB&T] Pride Festival on Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th August.

For one day only the city will transform into a Rainbow Circus with a massive celebration taking place around Liverpool’s gay quarter. Following a march around the city centre, the Dale Street area will be closed off all day for a FREE, glittering Pride street party including three stages featuring cabaret, acoustic and headliner performances from an exciting line up, which includes Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton, pop star Adam Rickit, Happy Mondays &  X-Factor star Rowetta, Drag legend Carol Jiani and a surprise special guest.

Aside from all of the action on stage, a wide range of live entertainment sure to wow festival-goers will illuminate the city throughout the day. The 20,000 expected visitors can enjoy a fantastic selection of musical acts, street performers, outrageous circus sideshows and a host of market and refreshment stalls, which will all embrace the rainbow circus theme. The fun doesn’t stop at sunset... far from it! As day turns to night, Liverpool’s thriving gay scene gears into action with a large number of venues holding exciting Pride events especially for the night.

‘Chill Out Sunday,’ will take place on Sunday 8th August across the city taking in sporting and cultural activities for Pride goers to enjoy.  ‘Pride Sports’ takes place at Lifestyles, Wavertree from midday – 5pm (registration from 11am). This active afternoon will celebrate LGB&T community sports with participants able to take part in a number of sporting pursuits and tournaments. There is also a raft of arts and culture to get your teeth into. Why not learn something new by attending an exhibition or talk and connect with others at a gallery or cinema?

The highlight of Liverpool Pride’s cultural offer comes from Tate Liverpool, with a fabulous 2 FOR 1 OFFER for the Picasso: Peace + Freedom exhibition. To book, pick up a pride brochure for the exclusive special offer code and call 0151 702 7400, or call in to the Tate Liverpool foyer desk.

Before 2010, Liverpool was the largest city in the country that hasn’t had its own official pride festival. At the launch of the LGB&T Network the public voted for a pride festival to engage, empower and involve the LGB&T communities within the city and this was fully endorsed by Liverpool City Council in January 2009. Liverpool Pride 2010 will celebrate the diverse community of one of Europe’s leading cultural cities.

Local television hero and national treasure Paul O’Grady said “About bloody time! Liverpool has finally got its own Pride festival and I know this city knows how to throw a party so I fully expect it to be the best Pride in the country!”

"Our first Pride festival will reinforce Liverpool’s reputation as one of the leading cultural destinations in Europe,” explains Tommy McIlravey of Liverpool Pride 2010, “We have been working closely with the city council and other organisations for a number of months to put together a Pride worthy of Liverpool’s reputation - a Pride which will showcase the diverse nature of life that the city has always had."

Liverpool Pride promises to be a fabulous 2 day event, we invite the people of Merseyside and beyond to come along and get involved, either in Saturday’s street party at the Rainbow Circus or if sports and arts are more your thing then come along to Chill Out Sunday and check it out!