The team behind the Pride event that lit up Bolton town centre this weekend were delighted with its success.

Pride ran from Friday night into Sunday afternoon with a mixture of entertainment, talks, and stalls throughout.

It was the first in-person pride event since 2019 as Covid restrictions put an end to large events for much of the last two years.

Virtual Pride events had taken place in 2020, however, organisers were delighted to have full crowds back for this year’s event again.

Pride returns with a bang as music and shows lights up the town centre

A spokesman for Bolton Pride told The Bolton News: “It’s been absolutely great to be back. We were so excited about this for so long.

“A lot of the team were quite nervous about how it would all be received after so long and what sort of attendance we would get but there were so many people and the feedback for it has been great.

People flock to the last day of Bolton Pride in town centre

“It’s proof that these events are wanted and loved by so many everywhere.

“One massive positive is the amount of young people attending, it’s so good to see.

“All the performances over the weekend were incredible. There was a full range of events from burlesque to 90s house performances which were all great and really well received.

“It’s a really strong community which can often get negative messages from trolls online but these events show how strong it is.

“There was a lot of footfall from it being in the town centre so there were a lot of people getting involved who wouldn’t usually come to a Pride event which is fantastic to see.

“It was such an inclusive and welcoming weekend with a real mix of people.

“We’re already thinking of ideas for next year.”