BASINGSTOKE town centre was filled with joy and colour as residents celebrated the first Pride event. 

On Saturday, August 17, hundreds of people marched through the streets in a parade of rainbow and glitter to celebrate equality and inclusivity with the LGBTQ+ community. 

The march kicked off at midday at Willows and ended at the Amphitheatre at Festival Place.

LIVE UPDATES: Basingstoke to celebrate first ever Pride with parade and festival 

RuPaul's Drag Race star Crystal led the marchRuPaul's Drag Race star Crystal led the march (Image: Sarah Gaunt)

Businesses, community groups, friends and families took part in the parade. 

Those taking part celebrated along Church Street, before going down Wote Street, skirting round Festival Place towards Seal Road and onto the amphitheatre.

@basingstokegazette Basingstoke's first ever Pride 🏳‍🌈🏳‍🌈🏳‍🌈 #LGBT #Basingstoke #BasingstokePride #lgbtqia #lgbtqtiktok #Hampshire #Pride ♬ original sound - Basingstoke Gazette

 

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Crystal led the crowd as they sang along with the band DDFK. 

Basingstoke Pride CIC organised the event with support from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, which had allocated funding from its Pride in Place Fund that helps local not-for-profit organisations deliver new and innovative projects to enhance the local community.