By Mal Butler
Ryde was filled with rainbows and love as the streets were filled with colour and dancing during IW Pride on Saturday.
The rainbow flags flew high as the Pride Parade set off from Ryde School, winding through Union Street, and culminating at the newly-relocated Pride community village at the SuperBowl and Pavilion Bar.
A spokesman for the event said: “We were the sunshine after the rain, filling Ryde with rainbows and love and uplifting the voices of everyone in our incredible community.
“Thank you so much to everyone who came and supported IW Pride, to watch the Parade, visit the community village and enjoy the entertainment.
“We say a huge thanks to our brilliant team of volunteers, all our sponsors and supporters, everyone behind the scenes to make it happen and the incredible artists that joined us, from the local Solent Gay Men’s Chorus to the fabulous La Voix.
“Watch our social media for announcements about Isle of Wight Pride 2026!”
Despite financial challenges and a 70 per cent drop in income, organisers put on a spectacular show. Free entertainment lit up the Pavilion Bar, hosted by Terry James, with dazzling performances from Cherry Liquor, Don One, Dawn the Drag Queen, and a Rihanna tribute act, alongside the Solent Gay Men’s Chorus and DJ Omar.
The evening shifted to The Balcony night club for a ticketed over-18s event featuring N-Trance (DJ set), La Voix, Rozalla, Quivers, and Spice Girls tribute band, Say You’ll Be Spice.
Isle of Wight Observer