IN PICTURES: Growing support from community and businesses fuels “enthusiastic” success of Albany Pride 2024

After two big weeks, Albany Pride 2024 has been heralded a success and “far better than we could have expected” by organisers who are already planning to make 2025 even bigger.

The packed schedule featured 34 events crammed into a busy 12 days and nights from February 22 through to March 4.

Nearly every event reached capacity with many on long waiting lists hoping to get tickets, according to co-ordinator Millie Reid.

“At the free events, such as fair day and the community picnic we had our largest turnouts to date,” she said.

“People are really starting to get behind the festival and it’s extremely rewarding to see all of our hard work pay off.”

This year was also the first time the festival began with an official welcome to country, which will now become an annual event thanks to the positive feedback, Ms Reid said.

“Everyone that went really loved it and it’s a really important way of acknowledging the cultural heritage of the area we are lucky to celebrate on,” she said.

Other highlights included a technicolour Brig Amity lit up in Pride colours, BarbieQ’s Dolly Parton tribute show, and sporting events organised by Albany Roller Derby.

The growing dress-to-impress shop front displays were also a welcome site during the festival, bringing vibrancy to several businesses along York Street.

“The visitors from Perth were impressed that they could feel across the town how welcome they were,” Ms Reid said.

Organisers were confident they had planned a great lineup, but the event ended up “far better than we could have expected”, Ms Reid said.

“Everyone was really happy to be at events and enthusiastic, and there was so much more business support this year so the whole town felt like it came alive,” she said.

“We put a lot of effort into our engagement with local businesses and venues that we collaborate with and it felt so supportive and meaningful.

“It was especially meaningful in the face of more intense and unfounded criticism in the lead up to, and during, the festival from certain sections of the community.”

Organisers have already started putting together a wish list of events for 2025 and are in talks with several key venues to lock in their support.

“We have a few surprises up our sleeves as well as some crowd favourites,” Ms Reid said.

“Let’s just say, every year is getting bigger and 2025 will be no exception.”