Up to 10,000 people are expected to paint Margate in rainbow colours for the second Thanet Pride celebration on Saturday, July 26.

The free event will this year be bigger and better. Visitors are again expected from all over the country, there will be an exciting lineup of entertainers and plenty of fun offstage for all the family.

The main focus is to promote diversity, tolerance and understanding in the east Kent community.

The day will draw many members of the wider gay, lesbian, bisexual, transvestite and cross dressing community and like last year will also be a major attraction for family groups and people of all ages and backgrounds.

Thanet Pride will kick off at 11am at the Winter Gardens with a parade that goes down Fort Hill to the main stage on the seafront next to Primark.

The official opening will be performed there at 11.30am by Thanet Pride chairman Kevin Grice and Thanet Council leader Cllr Sandy Ezekiel.

The entertainment starts at 11.45am with The Boy George Experience. There will be another stage in the Piazza with a disco and entertainment.

Highlights will include brother and sister X-Factor finalists Same Difference. Back by popular return will be singer and showman Highlander and showstopping drag act Ava La Putain.

Performers will include teenage singer Michael Hinch and Natalia, both fresh from their chart sucess. Also on stage will be transvestite band Pretty Route, just off the main Trafalgar Square stage at Pride In London.

There will be a Human League tribute band, Pride circuit regular Brighton’s Jamie Watson, drag act Kitty Monroe and Thanet singer and talent show winner Jules.

A funfair will take place on the Rendezvous car park and there will be stalls, competitions, giveaways and a Mr and Ms Thanet Pride competition.

Horace Hotman, one of the organisers and a mainstage compere, said: “It is going to be a really good day. Last year there were 5 to 6,000 people, this year we are expecting about 10,000.

“We have had a whole year to plan it while last year’s was put together in just a few weeks. We have a bigger, stronger committee and have advertised a lot further afield in the pink papers in London, Brighton and Birmingham.

“When you are on that stage and facing the sea with a big crowd on the seafront, it is a lovely view. We are hoping for a nice crowd, nice weather and a good fun day.”

Thanet Pride’s steering group was formed from the Sundowners Private Members Club who were asked to stage a Pride event in Margate to support diversity on the isle. Thanet Pride 2007 was hailed a huge success although put together in only weeks by just 10 people.

Anyone who would like to get involved in this year’s event can contact Horace Hotman on 07814 306664.

The running order for Thanet Pride 2008 is:

11am Pride march from Winter Gardens to main stage

11.30am official opening

11.45am The Boy George Experience

12.30pm Mr & Ms Thanet Pride Competition with author Steve Miller, also known as The Life Bitch

1pm Human League tribute act

1.30pm drag artiste Ava La Putain

2pm Brighton singer Jamie Watson

2.30pm Chart topper Natalia

3pm Thanet singer Ben Griffiths

3.30pm Michael Hinch

4pm X-Factor finalists Same Difference

4.30pm drag entertainer Kitty Monroe

5pm live band Pretty Route

5.30pm Thanet vocalist Jules

6.15pm Thanet singer Highlander and guests