The Pink Festival brings you the outdoor festival experience you’ve been waiting for! Imagine a massive flamboyant gay festival and mix it with a traditional British summer festival – sunshine, music, friends, family...this is everyone's party!

We caught up with Paul Hyde-Clarke from the Pink Festival Cambridge to find out more.

So what’s the Pink Festival all about then?
The Pink Festival is a free gay festival for all the family. This is the fifth year and it's just got bigger!

What can we expect at this year’s celebrations?
There's everything you'd expect from a massive gay event, and lots you wouldn't. From a buzzing Main Stage to a Cabaret Tent, and Children's Area to a Chill Out Zone with free therapies and workshops. We keep it free because we want everyone to be invited. It's the only LGBT festival in the East of England and we're expecting crowds of 10,000.

Is there anything you’re particularly looking forward to?
There's too much to mention! Sonique on the Main Stage and the Souls Of Prophecy Gospel Choir closing the show, which will no doubt bring the house down.

And anything you’re not?
The sleepless nights in the run up the event and the litter clean up afterwards.

In the spirit of the Pride season, what does Pride mean to you?
Pride is an internal thing for me. I'm not one for marches, although they may still have their place. The ethos of the Pink Festival is to bring everyone together, gay, straight, no matter. It is an inclusive event for all people, not a pride event for gay people. If we're to move forwards into a fully accepting society, we should move forwards with what a pride event is.

Tell us about the gay scene in Cambridge.
The gay scene is Cambridge is alive and kicking. The Dot Cotton Club at The Junction is the region's biggest gay club night and there are a number of pubs including The Corner House and The Bird In Hand, both of which have been newly refurbished and have a really friendly atmosphere.

So should we all be dressing up for the big event?
We invite people to be themselves at the Pink Festival. Celebrate who you really are and don't make any apologies. So yes, dress up, dress down, be whoever you want to be!

Have you thought about what you’ll be wearing yet?
Erm, I'll have to wear a staff t-shirt and I'll have to fight to get to them before there's nothing left but XL.

What else would you like to say?
The Pink Festival is in its baby years and we'd really like people to support the small volunteer team who created it by coming along. We don't get paid. It isn't for profit. The event is here for you, the gay people of the East of England and beyond. Enjoy it!

Read our Cambridge Gay Guide.

Pink Festival Cambridge: Saturday 30 August 2008
www.pinkfestival.com

Get in the mood for Pride by buying the Best of Gay Pride Anthems CD! Get it online and save some money to put towards the I Can't Even Drive Straight: A Gay Pride Bumper Sticker, Postcard Book.