Last Saturday was the annual Pride Parade through the city. It is one of the highlights of the BIG WEEKEND and a chance for the ordinary people in the city to take part in the fun. Apparently Mr Joe Public from Moston or Prestwich doesn’t climb into his leather chaps and head for MANFEST but he is happy to stand on Deansgate and watch the parade.

It was a foul morning with heavy rain and I nearly didn’t go in. But I had to do some tutoring in Chorlton so I had to go there at least. As the tutoring ended, the rain eased so I thought I’d at least go in and go to Waitrose to pickup some Key Lime Pie. When I parked the car the rain started again but I had a big golf umbrella in the boot so I got it out and headed towards Waitrose. It was about 12.30 and people were gathering for the parade, huddled under umbrellas and in doorways. As I got to Deansgate the rain stopped so I thought I’d head down to my usual spot under the Hilton Tower. As I walked down the clouds parted and the sun came out. It was a miracle! By the time the parade started at 1.00 we were under cloudless, blue skies with the sun beating down on the back of my neck.

Here are some general pictures of the Parade... (click more to see all)