THE RAINBOW flag will fly in the county town as it celebrates the fourth annual Dorchester Love Parade.

The event on Sunday, August 26 will include a colourful parade through town, this year with a balloons and Greeks theme, as well as an afternoon of music and family friendly entertainment at Maumbury Rings.

The parade, which starts at 1.30pm at the Town Pump, is becoming a traditional fixture in the calendar for Dorchester’s August Bank Holiday weekend and sees gay men, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people celebrating diversity.

The entertainment at Maumbury Rings starts at 1pm with a top line up of music on the day including the likes of Vanilla Radio, Ms Cookie Monster, DJ Matty H, Dame Coad, All About Gaga and The Dinnerladies.

Event organiser and owner of Cafe Jagos Chris Kendrick said there will also be a rural theme to this year’s event with donkey rides and grooming and alpacas as well as other outdoor activities.

There will also be a wig tossing competition, VW camper van corner and plenty of entertainment for youngsters including a bouncy castle and a kids disco with music from DJ Pippa Jones.

After the afternoon of music at Maumbury Rings, Cafe Jagos will be hosting an after party from 8pm.

Chris said the event was growing in popularity with each year and he was grateful to the support it had received from the local community over the years.

He said: “This is our fourth year and people in the town have supported us.

“It gets bigger every year.”

Chris said the event was all about promoting diversity and gay pride as well as offering a fun-filled day for people of all ages with anyone able to turn up free of charge.

He added that he was pleased the town council had also agreed for a new way of marking the parade this year.

Chris said: “The town hall has agreed to hoist a rainbow flag for the day to mark the event.”

For more information about the Love Parade and the after party call Cafe Jagos on 01305 266056.