Hundreds of people filled the streets of Dover with colour and jubilation yesterday for the town’s sixth annual Pride March.

Despite intermittent rain, organisers say Dover Pride was a fun and well-attended celebration with music, drag acts and dancing.

The organisation’s co-chair, Frazer Doyle said the day-long party sent an important message.

“Despite the weather, the community still turned up in high spirits and marched all the way through the high street and persevered throughout the day- I was really proud to see it,” he said.

“We even saw the same people who came along at the start stay with us all day because they know how important it is to have Dover Pride, support it and allow the LGBTQIA+ community to be visible and make sure Dover is a more of a safe, inclusive and accepting town for everyone.”

The fun kicked off at 11am outside Dover Town Hall with an estimated 500 people marching down Biggin Street through the heart of town.

The festively dressed participants stopped in for entertainment at La Salle Verte coffee shop, and DJ sets the Art Club bar and Market Square.

And about 7pm, crowds coalesced at the main show at Roman Lawn.

There, drag performers, Betty Late'N Never, Reya Sunn and Poppy Love wowed crowds with musical numbers, with Poppy kicking off her set with a number entitled ‘And They Called it Poppy Love’.

“Being featured at Dover Pride meant a lot to me, it was my first main stage performance, and the attendees were some of the best I’ve ever performed for,” said Reya Sunn.

Bettie Late N’ Ever added: “As a beginner in drag, being able to perform on a big scale such as a pride event was more than I could ever ask for.”

Pixie Polite also entertained spectators with an exciting musical set.

She came dressed in a knee-length tiger-print dress with bright neon-yellow hair.

Reflecting on her participation in the event, she remarked: “Having Visibility and diversity on full display in places where it’s easy to feel isolated as a LGBTQ+ person is so important.

“I love doing prides in small towns where grassroots community building gives people a sense of belonging, and reminds the general public why we still need to fight for our rights.”

The stage’s main host, Miss Di Vour wore a knee-high high-heel boots, with fish-net stockings and a leopard-print top.

“Hosting Dover Pride has been one of the biggest honours of my life,” she said.

“Growing up queer in Dover was always… interesting. So being able to return as my authentic - if not silly - self and to have the opportunity to host the celebration of LGBTQIA+ identities within the town is an absolute privilege.”

Once the sun went down, the after party got going at Dover Pride After Dark Party at The Dizzy Donkey cocktail bar and didn’t stop until 4am.

Dover Pride co-chair Emma Panda thanked attendees for coming out in force despite the rain.

“Wet, wild and proud!” she said. “I cannot thank the community enough for braving weather to support the day!”