Pride Goes West
Western Sydney is set for a treat next weekend when Parramatta Picnic Pride returns bigger and better.
A picnic for GLBTI families in Sydney’s west, the event was a huge success in 2007, drawing over 300 people. And organisers say 2008 will be even bigger.
“It got to 2 o’clock last year and people didn’t move they just wanted to stay!” says co-convenor of the day Jonathan Llewellyn. “So we’ve extended the picnic from 3 hours to 5, and there’s lots to do.”
The picnic will have stalls from local GLBTI community groups in the area and people are encouraged to bring along their own picnic basket. “We want everyone to know what kind of support is out here for them in the west, and the picnic has a real community feel about it” says Llewellyn, emphasising that any profit made on the day will go straight back into the GLBTI community.
Activities on the day will include drumming, touch football, volleyball, stalls as well as face painting, kite making and storytelling for all the kids. A barbeque will also be available for people who don’t want to pack a picnic hamper provided by the Western Suburbs Haven.
The picnic aims to engage with the community locally, and Llewellyn says part of the aim was to hold an event outside of Mardi Gras and have it locally, “so families don’t have to travel into the city” says Llewellyn. While Llewellyn says the picnic is a little tamer than fair day, it can still get rowdy. “Last year drag queens had a tug-o-war with the kids…it was hysterical” he says, adding that the picnic is a great chance for children to meet other kids from GLBTI families.
The 2008 Parramatta Pride Picnic is on Sunday, September 21 from 11am to 4pm at Area 23, Parramatta Park. Entry is Free.
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GenesisInVain
said on the 9th Sep, 2008