Drag queen opens a new chapter for Dalston Children's Festival with free storytelling sessions
Storytime with added sequins is set to keep youngsters entertained this half term when a drag queen makes a star appearance at the Pride in the Park family picnic on 26 May.
Maxi More will focus on recounting tales that help teach children to embrace their individuality and spread a message of tolerance.
The drag queen storytelling sessions are just one of the free, fun activities programmed for the event at Stonebridge Gardens, E8, to celebrate the borough’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, plus (LGBTQI+) families, friends and allies.
Visitors are encouraged to bring picnic food and a blanket, relax in the sunshine, meet new people and enjoy games and soft play equipment including a bouncy castle. There will also be an ice cream van, henna art and face painting.
The day will be a chance to find out more about becoming a LGBTQI+ foster carer or adoptive family in Hackney. Plus there will be information stands from organisations including Gendered Intelligence, a social enterprise which delivers arts programmes and creative workshops for transgender youth across the UK.
The event is part of the Hackney Pride 365 festival and Dalston Children’s Festival – which are both run by the Council in collaboration with the local community – and Foster Care Fortnight.
The Pride in the Park family picnic is an opportunity for Hackney’s many diverse families to take part in the free activities on offer, make new friends and celebrate over the May bank holiday weekend.
I’m looking forward to attending after last year's successful picnic and remain proud the Council is organising inclusive events like this, that support the borough’s diverse communities and bring people together.
Rachel Duke, who attended the picnic last year with her partner Lottie and two sons Frankie and Wilf, said: “We really enjoyed the family picnic last year. It was a great chance for our young children to play and hang out in the park with lots of other LGBTQI+ families, it’s good to see the Council backing this kind of inclusive event once again.”
More information:
Hackney Pride 365 is a community-led festival that aims to celebrate the borough’s historic, diverse and boundary-breaking LGBTQI+ community every day of the year. Follow Hackney Pride 365 on Facebook, or use #Pride365 on Twitter to keep up to date with events.
The Dalston Children’s Festival takes place over two weekends on 26 May and 2 June. There are over 30 free activities including workshops, outdoor events, live music and entertainment.
Foster Care Fortnight, runs from 14 to 27 May. It is the Fostering Network's annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and to show how foster care transforms lives.