The streets of Teignmouth will be awash with colourful rainbow flags next weekend (September 5-7) as the town celebrates its third Pride event.

The family-friendly festival of diversity and inclusion will see 21 artists, bands and children’s entertainers providing enjoyment for all.

While many Pride events feature organised marches, the Teignmouth Pride format focuses on a festival of music and dance and a street party.

Over the weekend, the main stage on Hollands Road will host an eclectic mix of acts including local choir Red Rock Acapella, drag act GigiSpot, and a show from children’s favourite seaside characters, Punch and Judy.

On the Saturday (September 6), a street market will take over The Triangle in Teignmouth and Teignmouth Library will host an all-age craft session in the morning to make rainbow heart suncatchers and hanging paper decorations.

Sunday is focused on children and families with street entertainers taking over the main stage and character meet and greets.

‘Pride looks different around the world, but it shares a purpose – to fight for continued recognition of the basic human rights for all LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual and other sexual orientations and gender identities) people everywhere,’ a Teignmouth Pride spokesperson explained.

‘Teignmouth Pride is our version of a community-based event: that is for everyone to be a part of; that welcomes everyone; and is for everyone to enjoy,’ the spokesperson added. ‘We believe in our community coming together as one and supporting each other.’

This year’s event has been funded from street collections, sponsorship from local businesses and grants from the National Lottery Community Fund, Teignmouth Town Council, Tesco Community Support and the Teignbridge Councillor Community Fund.

Nearly 3,000 Teignbridge residents identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual or queer, according to data from the 2021 Census for England and Wales. This represents around 3% of the population age 16 and over in Teignbridge, in line with the national average.