Festival Fortnight Week 1
26th June 2022
Festival Fortnight 2022 has been a huge success so far.
This year’s activities has been our biggest one yet with a total of 90 events for LGBTIQ+ and allies to attend. Stretching across to all corners of Scotland from Ayrshire to Moray and beyond. Our fine summer weather has contributed to numerous new activities taken up by participants from those trying something new to those seeking more regular sporting opportunities.
LEAP team members have been participating and assisting our partners with the delivery of events in as many places as we can. All LEAP representatives in attendance have been donning a blue and yellow Festival Fortnight shirt and been a friendly face for all participants to say hello too.
One event held by Colinton Squashers and Padelers at Thistle Tennis Club in Edinburgh during Week 1 saw many new faces. Participants were able to take part in two activities at this event in both tennis and Padel Tennis which featured a variety of coaching and fun games for participants to exercise in from 11am to 5pm with lunch provided in the middle.
LEAP Intern Telfer Gray spoke about his time at Padel Tennis and Tasters session.
“It was really pleasing to see a welcoming environment, which was coupled with great coaching and enthusiasm from both the paddle and tennis coach. Jonathan from Colinton Squashers put on a really fun event which was warmly received by all participants”.
Another event held in the capital at Holyrood Park was set up by Access Parkour who had taster sessions for newbies to try out Parkour.
LEAP Senior Project Officer Carolina Sousa E Sa attended the event provided by Access Parkour: “It was a fantastic turnout with great weather. We think this was the largest queer parkour event in Scotland with over 20 participants, and our hopes are that this community just continues to grow”
The profile of the festival has been higher than ever with and feedback responses have been overwhelmingly positive.
Here are just some of the comments from participants:
“Great fun with the Parrots, can't wait for another event!” Founded in 2019 Perth Parrots have been big supporters of our Festival Fortnight for 3 years and have been continuing to provide opportunities for inclusive sport.
“A really enjoyable event, thank you!”
There were only a couple of postponements to slightly damper our annual fortnightly festival of activities with our Paddle boarding activity organised by Moray SUP club being the victim of high winds, and our hiking activity with LGBT Health & Wellbeing being postponed. Both of these activities will look to be relocated for participants to take part in the near future.
Finishing off the first week of Festival Fortnight was the Edinburgh Frontrunners Pride Run prior to the Pride Edinburgh Parade the following day. Located in the Meadows in Edinburgh on Friday evening culminating in a post run ceilidh with participants heel-toeing their way to the Gay Gordons and the Dashing White Sergeant.
There are still plentiful activities to take part in and we highly recommend you do too!
Please check out our remaining events here: https://festivalfortnight.org/events
