YEAR two of Pride boasts a new name, bigger line-up and more singing along to the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Colchester Has Pride kicks off this Saturday for a full day of family-friendly entertainment outside before the evening takes a more adult turn with cabaret, drag queens and kings.

Bands will rock out on Firstsite's terrace, there will be a chance to digest different food stalls and also liaise with charities like the Terrence Higgins Trust and Samaritans.

Younger guests can get their faces painted with the iconic rainbow flag, take part in yoga and art workshops.

Committee member Tess Brooks explained there was a conscious effort to make Pride more family orientated.

Historically, Pride is a celebration of diverse sexuality but in Colchester, it is also a salute to the town and the people who live here.

She said: "As a small, community Pride we want to make sure we're completely welcoming.

"A lot of my friends, for example, have children, so the committee wanted people to come along and see there's something for everyone.

"There's a lot more going on this year."

Colchester Has Pride continues from 11am until 10pm.

The event will end on a high after a cabaret show and the iconic Rocky Horror Picture Show - a favourite from 2017, Tess said.

She added: "It's so much fun and lots of people dress up so it really encapsulates what Pride is about.

"The cabaret has been organised by a friend of mine and there will be different types of performances like pole fitness, burlesque and amazing drag acts."

The fun does not stop there as guests can continue on to two after-parties at Queen St Brewhouse and Colchester Arts Centre for a silent disco.

Although Tess is determined to keep the event positive, she does not shy away from addressing the criticism it faced last year from Gazette readers whose comments reflect a wider conversation - the relevance of Pride in this day and age.

Tess's advice is to pay more attention to the daily incidents of hate crime against those who identify as LGBTQIAP - which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual, asexual and pansexual - that conversion therapy is still happening, and statistics which indicate people are still uncomfortable being 'out' in public.

She said: "The community still need to feel they're not alone and despite society telling them they shouldn't exist, they do, and that's fine.

"People should be free to be who they are and love who they want to."

For more updates, find Colchester Has Pride on Facebook.

READ MORE: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY WITH PRIDE