IW Pride celebrated a return to the beach in style, with a weekend of entertainment, community involvement and a parade.

The sixth Pride Parade started from Ryde School, led by Raw Samba and a Southern Vectis open-top bus, adorned with rainbow flags. Up to 400 people from local organisations, charities, blue-light services, and businesses joined the parade through the town, greeted by streets lined with cheering and flag-waving onlookers. The parade finished next to the Pride community village on Eastern Gardens, which included local traders and charities.

The 4,500 free and VIP beach-access tickets were all allocated and during the day host, Drag King Don One, introduced a number of amazing artists. Being a pride event; drag was provided from Quivers and Ginger Johnson, and everyone danced into the evening with Radio 1’s Dean McCullough, and, to finish the night, former Pussycat Doll, Kimberly Wyatt.

On the Sunday, Symphonix Pride featured two incredible shows with a 30-piece orchestra, live bands, Freddie Mercury and George Michael tributes, plus drag sensation, Cherry Liquor.

Team Pride have hailed the weekend a great success and are thanking volunteers, sponsors and supporters. A spokesman said: “It was wonderful to welcome so many this year, even a brief drop of rain did not dampen the proceedings. It was amazing to see the community come together at an event championing the importance of equality and diversity. Most importantly, a weekend in which people could be their authentic selves with no fear of censure, judgement, inequality, or abuse, proved that ‘Love Wins’.”

With dates yet to be finalised, Isle of Wight Pride will return in mid July 2025.

Visit iw.observer/iw-pride-pics to see our on-line gallery of the event.