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Published: Thursday, 1st February, 2024
Updated: Sunday, 4th February, 2024
Announcement
2024 brings the return of the fast-growing regional highlight event, the Albany Pride Festival, from 22nd February to 4th March.
This year’s festival carries the theme We are Family, celebrating our community’s strength, mutual support, and the incredible diversity and shared history within our vibrant Queer family.
Albany Pride Media Coordinator Tiger Bird (they/them) expressed their enthusiasm for this year’s theme by developing a vibrant and endearing visual identity for the 2024 Albany Pride Festival.
“By embracing this empowering theme, we aim to highlight the unity of our community over the ages, the resilience that has been shown in the face of challenges, and our commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion and equity for all members of the Queer community.”
Tiger Bird said that in honour of the festival theme – We Are Family – the Albany Pride mascot has been given a disco-ready makeover in pink mirror tiles.
“I’m sure everyone is familiar with the little whale that features in the Albany Pride logo, but not everyone knows that we have given her a nickname – Babs.
“Babs plays an important role every year, and this year she is a powerful reminder of our collective strength, resilience, and the diverse tapestry of identities that have enriched our Queer family over the ages.”
Tiger paid tribute to the organising team behind the festival, especially Festival Coordinator, Millie Reid.
Ms Reid said, “Albany Pride Festival is not just an event; it’s a celebration of our shared identity and the strength that comes from being part of this diverse and vibrant Queer family. We Are Family encapsulates the spirit of unity that will de ne our festival this year.”
Albany Pride invites all members of the community, Queer or allies, to attend the 2024 Albany Pride Festival.
“There is an even more diverse program on offer this year, ranging from family friendly events, dance parties, education sessions, the always-popular drag shows and there is plenty for the culture vultures too.”
Ms Reid says the inaugural Pride Photographic Exhibition, showcasing an impactful collection of images known as The Pride Project and co-curated by photographer Lauren Crooke and Wayne Evans, strikes a perfect balance between storytelling and artistry.
“I am really excited about our first ever exhibition event with Crooked Images, whose beautiful, cinematic images weave a communal narrative, delving into the LGBTQIA+ community’s experiences and sharing often untold stories of adversity.”
The Pride Project will be a captivating part of the 2024 Pride Photographic Exhibition until March 4th.
“Albany Pride Fairday is always a great family day out with roving entertainment, an adorable dog show and colourful stalls. Also, this year we will Light up the Night at more venues than ever, with colourful lights set to highlight the Albany Entertainment Centre, the CBH silos, the Brig Amity and the Town Hall.”
Ms Reid also highlighted the dance party featuring visiting DJ Yanique and the talented Twerk Noir team.
“Also, I adore everything BarbieQ ever does and can’t wait to see her bring a Dolly Parton tribute show to town. Skye Scraper is a welcome newcomer to Albany Pride, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what hilarity she has to offer. Finally, last year’s Pride in Diversity training was outstanding, so I’m so glad we have Alyce Schotte coming back to build on the work we have started in the wider community.”
All members of the Albany community, their friends and family are welcome to celebrate the 2024 Albany Pride Festival with local member of the Queer community. The festival is proudly sponsored by Albany Community Bank (Bendigo Bank), Dan Murphy’s, and Pride Fairday is supported by Lotterywest.
Tiger Bird said the community support shown this year was inspirational.
“At its heart, Albany Pride Festival is all about bringing a community together to share something very special, to celebrate and connect. This just simply wouldn’t happen without our sponsors: it is thanks to them that we are able to provide such a wide array of activities, so that everyone in our community has the chance to be a part of it during our Festival – and for that, we are immensely and sincerely grateful.”
Dan Murphy’s Sponsorship
Dan Murphy’s Proud Committee Co-Chair Robyn Stevens (she/her) said Albany Pride Festival was a sensational event that united the community and was part of the broader vision of Proud, and Dan Murphy’s as a whole.
“Dan Murphy’s lives its purpose – to support the communities we live and work in,” she said.
“One of our core values, not just through Dan Murphy’s but also throughout the Endeavour Group brands, is that we’re inclusive and I believe it is important to live and breathe those values.
“Our Proud Committee has taken an active approach to supporting, sponsoring and partnering with organisations that empower and connect LGBTQ+ communities, particularly in regional communities.”
The 2024 Pride Festival is proudly supported by Bendigo Bank Albany and Dan Murphy’s.
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Press and media enquiries
Tiger Bird
Albany Pride Media Coordinator
Phone: 0478 542 847 (0478 LGBTIQ)
Email: media@albanypride.com.au