Bears in the 2013 Parade The second Auckland Pride Parade will be a night parade, with organisers confirming it will begin at 7PM. The inaugural event in 2013 was held in the afternoon, and while the time is changing the route will once again be from Western Park to Three Lamps in Ponsonby. Pride Festival Trust Co-Chair David Coltman says the change is a result of feedback from people taking part in the parade and Ponsonby Rd businesses. "We are really excited about the later start of next year's Auckland Pride Parade,” he says, adding it means the parade will flow into the closing Party. “It will be the big finish to a fantastic Auckland Pride Festival." Pride Parade Director Richard Taki says the twilight time slot will allow ‘magical and wondrous’ imaginings to happen. The 7pm start allows us to take full advantage of the last embers of daylight in showcasing our Rainbow Community. You'll see colour, movement, culture, satire and commemoration.” Taki has been working with stakeholders for the past two months, including the Ponsonby Business Association, ATEED, New Zealand Police and Auckland Transport, to allow the later start to happen. “The later start time has more risks and costs associated with it than a daytime parade,” he says, adding the groundwork is necessary in order to ensure the event “is held safely and with a minimal amount of disruption to residents, business owners and the public, whilst maintaining the integrity and vision of the Parade”.Auckland Pride Parade: Saturday 22 February 2014, 7PM, Ponsonby Rd
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 5th November 2013 - 1:51pm