Thetford Pride 25, organised by Thetford LGBT+, to take place at town’s Guildhall and Carnegie Room on August 2

A town will celebrate its LGBT+ community as it prepares to hold its first Pride event with a parade.

Thetford LGBT+ has organised Thetford Pride 25, which will take place on August 2.

An all day and night affair, it will start with a short parade from Riverside Walk at 10.30am, after which it will head to The Guildhall from 11am to 4pm for its family friendly event, before moving the Carnegie Room for its 18+ ‘United After Dark’ event from 7pm to 11pm.

Thetford LGBT+, which has been running for eight years, is the town’s only adult LGBT+ group. There was a Pride event in Thetford last year which did not have a parade.

A spokesperson for the group said it had always planned to do a Pride event, and now the community needs support more than ever.

They said: “We’re here to celebrate and educate the community, that’s what Thetford Pride 25 is going to be about, and showing equality and respect for all.

“We want to celebrate and show LGBT+ visibility; the parade will be a great addition to the day as it will show others they are not alone.

“Prides are everywhere and we think it’s important Thetford has one, to show it’s a safe town to live in.”

The event will be officially opened by the town crier with a proclamation and it has the support of the council.

The daytime event will feature stalls, performances, a short play called Restless by Tony Vale and a LGBT+ history exhibition.

There will also be other entertainment and speakers. The evening afterparty will have a variety of 18+ entertainment. The Thetford Pride 25 Team wants both LGBT+ people and townsfolk to get involved in the event.

“We want people to get involved not only for our community but for Thetford generally,” the spokesperson said.

For more information and to buy tickets, click here or visit the group’s Facebook pages.

The events, including the parade, are focused on diversity and inclusion. They are accessible for all, including disabled people, and will have stewards to help and security.

Thetford LGBT+ can be reached on contact@thetfordlgbt.org.