IT’S set to be a great event, bringing together people from all walks of life in Basildon to celebrate Pride.

Basildon Pride Festival takes place tomorrow (Saturday) from 11am to 7.30pm, at Basildon Sporting Village. It is free and no tickets are required.

If you want to take part in the parade head to the old Toys ‘R’ Us building at Southernhay, Basildon SS14 1AZ, at no later than 10.15am, for an 11am launch.

The route will head through the town square, past St Martin’s Church, through Gloucester Park, ending atthe festival site at Basildon Sporting Village.

If people want to take part but can’t walk the entire route, head to the accessible meeting point near the fishing lake in Gloucester Park.

Gaz De Vere, a Pride organiser, said: “Following our ‘Mini Pride’ event, Basildon Pride formally constituted and focused on arranging our first ever festival which took place in Gloucester Park in September 2019. Over 4,500 people attended, and it quickly became clear that Basildon Pride had cemented its place within the Basildon borough and surrounding areas.”

There will be a host of entertainment throughout the day at Basildon Sporting Village.

On the main stage, from 11.30am to 1.30pm, there will be: Stephanie Von Clitz, Carl Hughes, Alex Rowley, Crystal Queer and Mary P from Britain’s Got Talent.

From 1.30pm to 3.30pm there will be: Linzie Wizshart, Forever Jackson, Tina Sparkle, Hannah Kiss.

From 3.30 to 5.30pm there will be: Flick The Drag Queen, Nicole Marie Amy Winehouse tribute, Linzie Wishart.

From 5.30pm to 7.30pm there will be: Nicola Marie Madonna tribute, Tanya Minge, Nicola Marie 80s tribute, Dene Michaels from Black Lace.

Over on the Gateway Stage, sponsored by Gateway 97.8, from 11.30am to 6pm there will be: Chloe Mead, Dr Dude Party Show, BASOPS Operatic Society, DJR Entertainments, Echo Studios Dance Troupe, Kenzie Blackheart, The Vi5ion band and more.

At the The Zone, Sponsored by SS&C, from 11.30am to 1.30pm there will be Brazilian Dancers, Chinese Lions dancers and more.

At the Discovery Hub, sponsored by Unite the Union, there will be a series of workshops on subjects such as hate crime, sexual health, pride in the workplace, parenting support for LGBT+, fostering and adoption and more.

For more details see www.basildonpride.co.uk.