Giant unicorns will prance around Dunedin's Octagon in April,
when the Dunedin Pride Festival returns to the city, though
this year without a parade.
Co-organiser Hahna Briggs said the gay community wanted to
focus this year on holding just a couple of events and doing
them well in a sustainable way. A parade was too expensive.
The last Mardi Gras parade through Dunedin was in 2009.
This year's festival would take place on April 6 in the
Octagon and feature family-friendly activities, including
bands and food stalls, followed by a more adult
''after-party'' at another location in the evening hosted by
Auckland drag queen Miss Ribena.
Ms Briggs said the festival aimed to create visibility of the
Dunedin LGBTI-queer community and to provide a space to
celebrate diversity.
She hoped Dunedin Pride would become an annual event that
could grow and evolve over time.
The event had received some funding from the Dunedin City
Council, Creative Communities Dunedin Scheme and the Otago
Community Trust, but about another $3000 was needed to cover
costs.
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