DUDLEY — Vibrant colour, music and a strong sense of community marked Dudley Pride as an estimated 2,500 people spent Saturday in Stone Street Square enjoying performances, stalls and family-friendly activities.
Headline acts and local performers energise the square
The free event, sponsored by Haystoun, featured BBC’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series two winner Tia Kofi as the headline performer. Alongside the headliner, the programme brought back popular local attractions including crowd favourite Karl M with Best of the Boybands, the theatrical troupe Bedazzle from Priory House and songs from WMYT West Midlands Youth Theatre. The line-up also included queer, riot girrrl band Temper Tantrum.
Activities and community presence
Visitors had access to more than 30 stalls offering crafts, food and activities. Family-friendly attractions such as face painting and glitter tattoos were available throughout the day, and street performers added to the carnival atmosphere.
- Venue: Stone Street Square
- Estimated attendance: around 2,500
- Main attractions: Tia Kofi, Karl M, Bedazzle, WMYT, Temper Tantrum
- Community offer: 30+ stalls, face painting, glitter tattoos, street performance
“Dudley Pride continues to go from strength to strength, bringing people together in a vibrant celebration of inclusivity, diversity and community,” said Councillor Pete Lowe, Mayor of Dudley. “It was fantastic to see so many residents and visitors enjoying the entertainment, and the atmosphere throughout the day was incredible.”
What it means for Dudley
For many attendees the event was a visible reminder of local support for LGBTQ+ people and a chance for community groups to connect with the public. The mix of headline entertainment and smaller local acts suggests organisers aimed to balance national profile with grassroots participation, giving platform space to community theatre and local bands as well as a national drag performer.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Haystoun |
| Headline | Tia Kofi |
| Attendance (approx.) | 2,500 |
As Dudley continues to host public events in central spaces, organisers and the council face the ongoing task of ensuring those gatherings are accessible and welcoming to all residents. Dudley Pride’s turnout will be noted by community groups and civic leaders as evidence of local appetite for inclusive cultural programming.
The event was free to attend and open to residents and visitors; the combination of established names and local participants underlined an inclusive approach aimed at visibility and community engagement.
