Saturday 20th July Schedule
- 12 noon – Parade (start point at Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1)
- 1pm – 6pm – Festival (Exhibition Park)
- 6pm till late various events around Newcastle Gay Scene
Egg and spoon races and elephants made from milk cartons are being used to teach people the benefits of exercise and recycling as part of an iconic North East event.
Northern Pride’s annual Newcastle Pride festival, which returns to the city’s Exhibition Park later this month, is introducing a series of family-friendly activities designed to engage the community in sports and the environment.
For the first time in its six year history the event, running on Saturday, July 20, will feature a special Sports Zone, dedicated to promoting fitness and exercise in a fun and informal way.
It will also host a separate Family Zone, co-sponsored by Nexus, The Cooperative and DFW Adoption, and where visitors of all ages can take part in creative activities such as music lessons and workshops showing how to recycle household waste into keepsakes.
The 80ft sports arena, hosted by the North East’s only LGBT running club and sponsored by Gary Hedley Salons, will include half hourly activities such as egg and spoon races, football shoot outs, tag rugby and a tug of war, as well as a giant Zumba class run by North Tyneside Council’s health and fitness initiative, Contours.
It will also play host to a huge climbing wall and a number of information stalls manned by representatives from The Tony Blair Sports Foundation, Start Fitness and a variety of running clubs, including Northern Frontrunners, Newcastle Ravens RC, Newcastle Panthers FC and Outdoor Lads.
Meanwhile the Family Zone, which will be smoke and alcohol free, will see staff from North Tyneside-based recycling centre, The House of Objects, teaching youngsters how to turn reclaimed waste materials such as pop bottles and milk cartons into keepsakes including model elephants, jellyfish and flowers.
Tutors from The Sage Gateshead will also be on hand throughout the afternoon, offering drop-in musical workshops for aspiring singers, dancers and musicians of all ages and abilities.
Families will also be given access to a designated picnic area, away from the hustle and bustle of the main Newcastle Pride event.
Peter Darrant, chair of Northern Pride, which stages Newcastle Pride, said: “The activities on offer at Pride in 2013 have been specifically designed to cater for a wide range of ages and interests.
“The new Sports Zone in particular is a great addition to this year’s line-up and will allow us to showcase Pride’s dedication to promoting health and fitness not just at this event but as an on-going project throughout the year.”
Newcastle Pride, which also includes zones dedicated to health and wellbeing, is primarily a music event and will feature live entertainment from a host of well-known performers, including Amelia Lily, Toyah Wilcox and Katrina, from Katrina and The Waves.
Sponsors for the event include Community Energy Solutions, Tyne and Wear Fire Service, Northumbria Police and Newcastle City Council. For more information and full listings visit www.northern-pride.com
Newcastle Pride is a FREE pride however for anyone who would like something a little more special then a VIP area is available at a cost of £20 (tickets available up to 11th July. Pride will be £25 on the day).
