An Auckland Pride steering group has applied for $339,000 from Auckland Council's tourism body for a two-week pride festival and return of a parade along Ponsonby Rd. The Auckland Pride Festival Trust has put a proposal in to the Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development for an event from February 10-23 2013. It will encompass the Big Gay Out and a number of other events including a parade. The trust believes it can make $439,000 in ticket sales and sponsorship, but the event will cost $778,000 in all to run. It predicts more than 200,000 people would watch the parade, while up to 2,000 people would take part in the festival. ATEED has reportedly received 83 applications seeking $19 million, but under the Major Events Strategy funding, it only has $1.9m to contribute. Final decisions on funding will be made next month
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 16th February 2012 - 9:10am