Schedule for Athlone's Winter Pride revealed
Heartlands Pride Athlone has revealed the programme for its fourth annual Winter Pride Festival.
A packed schedule of events will take place across Athlone from November 6 to 8, followed by a special Christmas Markets event on November 21.
The festival, which is supported by Westmeath County Council and West Midlands Credit Union, will feature workshops, live entertainment, drag performances, poetry, music and community events throughout the month.
The festivities will get underway on Thursday, November 6, with a Candy Floss Workshop hosted by Irish Clouds at the Abbey Road Artist Studio from 6pm to 8pm. The evening will continue with the Haus of Kwén show at the Piano Bar from 9pm.
On Friday, November 7, a Drumming Workshop with SambaWave Galway will take place at the Family Resource Centre from 11am to 2pm. That evening, local drag queen Tess Tickles will host Queereoke at O'Brien's Bar Athlone from 9pm.
The festival continues on Saturday, November 8, with a community walk hosted by Heartlands in Motion at Athlone Regional Sports Centre from 11.30am to 2pm, with entertainment also included.
Later that evening, O'Brien's Bar will host Poetry and Candlelit Cabaret, beginning at 5pm and hosted by Daryn O'Hara and local drag queen Jackie Off.
The festival will then conclude with the "Bants and Beats" end-of-festival party at O'Brien's Bar from 9pm until late.
Heartlands Pride Athlone will also host its annual Christmas Markets on Friday, November 21, at the Dead Centre Mezzanine.
The group will issue a call-out for local vendors in the coming weeks, with the event also featuring entertainment and a special appearance from Mr Santa Claus.
The Christmas Markets will be a family-friendly event, with The Very Bublé Christmas Experience taking place at 2pm in the Mezzanine.
Heartlands Pride Athlone is also inviting local businesses to get involved and support this year's Winter Pride Festival.
Businesses interested in supporting the fourth annual festival can contact heartlandspride.athlone@gmail.com for further information.