A growing wave of support is building for an inclusive event that promises to unite and inspire.
Business backing is helping to grow this year’s Kendal Pride event in Cumbria, with six sponsors already on board for what organisers describe as "pride done differently."
Kendal Pride aims to create an inclusive celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond, with family-friendly activities and space for reflection and connection.
The event will take over the Cumbrian town for its fourth year from Friday June 12 to Sunday 14, offering a host of activities for people of all ages.
Six key sponsors are supporting the event: ticketing platform TryBooking, Lake District favourite Herdy, The Westmorland Family, Douglass Grange accountancy, confectioners Romney’s, and Spanish restaurant Comida.
Sally Lofthouse-Jones, chair of the Kendal Pride organising group, said: "It's fantastic to have the support of the business community, both financially and in solidarity; nailing their rainbow colours to the mast.
"Having the backing of these brilliant – and in many cases iconic – Cumbrian businesses sends a message loud and clear, that LGBTQIA+ people have a home in Kendal, the South Lakes, and beyond."
Kendal-based TryBooking returns as a sponsor for the second year.
Joan Lind, managing director of TryBooking, said: "We’ve been proudly supporting pride events over the last ten years, so backing the one on our doorstep was a no-brainer.
"Kendal is our home, and we want LGBTQIA+ people to know it's a warm and welcoming home for them too."
Herdy, the popular gift and homeware brand known for its Lake District-themed characters, is also sponsoring Kendal Pride for the third year running.
Diane Hannah, Herdy’s co-founder and director, said: "Herdy’s home is right here in Kendal, and we are proud to be part of showing that our town is an inclusive home for people with all sorts of different identities.
"Plus, Herdy loves a party so we’ll be getting the bunting out to celebrate."
Douglass Grange, an accountancy firm based in Kendal, is also lending its support.
Ben Moffat, director at Douglass Grange, said: "Putting our support behind Kendal Pride is about more than helping make an event happen, it's making a statement about the sort of place we want our town to be."
Romney’s, the Cumbrian confectioners behind the iconic Kendal Mint Cake, are supporting the festival once again.
Greg Taylor, operations manager at Romney’s, said: "Just like our different flavours of Kendal Mint Cake, the people who call Kendal home are diverse and varied in their identities, and that’s just the way it should be.
"That’s why we’re once again backing Kendal Pride."
Westmorland Farmshops & Co, which owns and operates Rheged, Tebay Services, Cairn Lodge Services, Gloucester Services, Junction 38 Truckstop and the Westmorland Hotel, is contributing 100 pies from its new pie shop for the event’s inaugural Feast.
The pies will be given away at 1pm on Sunday, June 14, at the festival site.
Claire Logan-Smith, head of community and programming at Westmorland Farmshops & Co, said: "We are proud to be an inclusive family business built on warmth, graft and courage where LGBTQIA+ colleagues and customers feel safe, respected and totally at home – that’s why we’re supporting Kendal Pride again for 2026."
Kendal Pride has also received funding from Arts Council England, National Lottery Awards for All, Kendal BID, and Kendal Town Council.
Comida, a Spanish tapas restaurant, is also among the businesses supporting this year’s event.
The festival returns for its fourth year from June 12 to 14, transforming the town into a hub of celebration and community.
Main events will take place at Abbot Hall on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, including live music, and free activities for all ages.
Tickets are on sale now for the Big Pride Party, hosted by Bowness Bay Brewery’s Venue at a cost of £20 per person.
More details, including how to book tickets, are available at www.kendalpride.co.uk.
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