Bolton will host its first ever Gay pride Festival on the 16th, 17th and 18th of October this year. The three-day festival is being organised by James Edgington and by Mark Geary, who previously managed Warrington Pride.The two will be working with Lisa O’Neill-Rogan from the Octagon Theatre, Bearing the slogan Love Bolton, Hate Homophobia, the weekend of events will begin on Friday 16th with a community awards dinner in the Whites Hotel at the Macron Stadium. On Saturday 17th there will be an LGBT sports day (Football vs Homophobia) and a club night at Vogue in Bolton. Planned events for Sunday 18th include a family indoor market day at the Holiday Inn and a walk to the Town Hall steps, where a minute of silence will be held to remember and honour victims of hate crime. James and Mark aim to commit three years to the project, with the aim of making Bolton Pride an annual event. A steering group is being formed and other plans include setting up an LGBT weekly group – something which Bolton doesn’t have at present. Next year they hope Bolton Pride will be a major town centre event, accompanied by a fringe festival in the lead-up to the main weekend event.