Known very well in the U.K. but not as well outside of the country, Blackpool is a British coastal resort town (population 140,000) on the Irish Sea, north of Liverpool and northwest of Manchester (England's major gay hub after London). Very steadily over the past 15 years, it's become Northern England's premier gay and lesbian beach destination, and on May 16 and May 17, 2009, the city hosts Blackpool Pride, a lively series of parties, concerts, and gatherings.
This year's Blackpool Pride features a significant change of venue: the two-day festival has moved from the North Pier location of previous years to Dickson Road, right in the center of the Blackpool Gay Village. Note, however that the Blackpool Gay Pride Parade (which takes place on Sunday, May 17) runs along the city's Promenade, from St. Chads Headland to the city's famed North Pier, which is one of three large piers that jut out from the shore.
The Blackpool Gay Pride Festival features two days of activity, including a host of great performers: Austin Drage, Laura White, Scooch, Jo O'Meara, Daniel Fox, Andy Scott Lee, Jessica Garlick, Hazell Dean, Toyah Wilcox, Hoop La-La, Hannah Jones, Nicki French, Fixion, Kelly Wilde, and more.
You can buy the official admission wristbands (the cost is 7 quid if over 18, and 5 quid for ages 14 to 17) to Pride online and at certain gay-friendly hangouts in Blackpool: the Flying Handbag pub at 48 Queen Street, Trades Bar at 38 Queen Street, and Mardi Gras at 114 Talbot Road - and yes, these bars are in the heart of Blackpool's Gay Village, around Queen Street and Talbot Road, east of North Pier.
Additionally, the city's many gay-popular restaurants and bars, gay hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Weekend. Check local gay resources, such as Blackpool's online Gay Guide and Gayzout Magazine, for details. Also check out Visit Blackpool for general tourism information on the region.
