REVELLERS were pretty in pink at the weekend when they attended Huddersfield’s annual gay festival.
The land at Moor End Farm, South Crosland, groaned under the weight of feather boas and pink cowboy hats as thousands soaked up the party atmosphere of the Pink Picnic.
This year marked the 24th anniversary of the hugely popular event which celebrates the town’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
Over 5,000 people of all ages and sexualities flocked to the colourful festival, which this year had a new home.
The day of entertainment was kicked off on the main stage by festival favourite MarkyMark, who returned for the fourth year to host the proceedings.
The crowds were then wowed by a variety of acts, including clubland diva Kelly Llorenna who performed chart hits including Tell It To My Heart.
Other performers included Cher tribute act Tania Alboni, Madonna tribute act Lisa McCheyne, Erasure tribute act Erase’d, boy band Tucker and drag acts Bears Aloud and Collar ’n’ Cuff from Leeds.
There was also a large selection of stalls, funfair rides, a beer tent and a fun fair.
This year the event came from a different location after traditionally being staged at Castle Hill.
The new site off Blackmoorfoot Road, which is already home to the Huddstock music festival, was chosen to accommodate more people as the event continues to grow from strength to strength.
Craig Hendry, one of the organisers, said the site had been well received and contributed towards this year’s festival being one of the best yet.
He said: “This is definitely one of the most successful events we’ve had so far.
“For the first time we had this great big field in the middle of the countryside, and this has enabled us to have a lot more stalls and for the first time have fun fair rides which is something we have wanted to do for a while.
“It’s a wonderful location and more space for people to sit together on the ground and I think this has all encouraged more people to come.
“The event is in its 24th year now and this is a new era for it.
“It’s a festival for the whole Huddersfield community but we get people coming from all over Yorkshire.
“It’s successful because it’s very well organised by a dedicated group and has a nice, family friendly atmosphere that appeals to people from all backgrounds.”
Claire Tasker, 39, from Barnsley, was visiting the event with friends.
She said: “I’ve been a few times before and always had the most fantastic time.
“There’s a really nice, relaxed atmosphere but when the music gets going it’s absolutely electrifying.”
Charlie Collins, 36, from Manchester, attended for the first time with her five-year-old daughter Morgan.
She said: “It seems to have a nice feel to it and I’ve seen quite a few families which is lovely.
“It seems more inclusive than other festivals I’ve been to like Manchester Pride.
“There’s a lot more space and it’s not all about the drinking like it can be with other events.
“I would come back and I think a lot of people from other places would travel here if they heard about it.”
