In his first year in the role of marketing, Jack Bailey is enthusiastic about the 16-day program and its offering not only for locals but for visitors as well.
One of the biggest wins this year is bringing the pride parade, which has previously been held in February, into the festival program. It will run along one of the most spectacular routes in Australia: along the waterfront at Honeysuckle and ending at the beach with a barbeque.
The festival also encompasses a history walk, the Sassy Kunst art exhibition, the Short N Curly queer short film festival, Drink N Draw with Wonder Mama, dragon boating and, of course, lots of parties, including at Bernie’s Bar.
“Newcastle’s definitely got a smaller, very supportive community and when we do activate something, there’s always a lot of people who take the opportunity,” says Jack. “We do get a lot of people from outside Newcastle visiting for the festival too, especially on the Fair Day weekend.”
Fair Day attractions will include the Doggywood Parade, hosted by Sexy Galexy and Kerry Stanley, a youth space, a handbag toss and stalls by Homegrown Markets, who run the best markets in town. It will also get a glow up in the form of a new ‘Screamin’ Gay’ stage (Newcastle Pride’s monthly party) and it will be capped off with an after-party by Poof Doof, the first time the Sydney/Melbourne party crew have ever held an event in Newcastle.
“There will be two stages throughout the day with live music and drag queens on the main stage and the Screamin’ Gay stage. “We’ve got Denise Hanlon on the main stage along with Danni Issues, a drag queen who is Sydney-based but grew up in Newcastle and Greg Gould, a singer who grew up on the Central Coast and lived in Newcastle for a little while. Plus the performers: Freddie Merkin, Leather Lungs, Penelope Pettigrew, Dyan Thai, Molly Poppinz, She_needa, Gucci, Nova Hudson, Rhea Listik, Vandoll, Sticky Waffles, Beverly Fabulousity, Rhuma Hazzit, Kandy Rhinestone, Cocckington Black, Elijah Amoss and Chakras Performing Arts (Bollywood dance).”
“Then we’ll also have the Screamin’ Gay stage for the first time, a dedicated DJ area with Sexy Galexy, Kate Monroe, Stephen Wall, Lisa Anita and DJ Queerio, Bo.Bella, Emma and Chris Gearin plus the dancers Mark Tarcula, Phumphalung (Ty) and Creative Creatures.”
Fair Day happens on Saturday 19 October from 11am to 6pm at Gregson Park in Hamilton followed by the Official After Party: Poof Doof + Dyke Doof at the Newy Hotel from 7pm until 3.30am. Check out the full program at https://newcastlepride.com.au/
