No Cardiff Mardi Gras in 2008

By Tony Grew • February 18, 2008 - 12:15

The Cardiff Mardi Gras organising committee has announced the event will not being going ahead this summer.

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A lack of community and financial support is being blamed for the cancellation of Wales' largest Pride event.

The Cardiff Mardi Gras organising committee has announced the event will not being going ahead this summer.

Despite the huge success of Mardi Gras in recent years, "high demands placed on committee members have made it difficult to retain volunteers and attract new ones," the committee said in a statement.

They are hopeful that Mardi Gras can be staged again in 2009.

"The committee have worked hard in recent years to raise funds and with growing costs for the event and infrastructure this has become increasingly difficult," they said.

"This was no more evident than in the fact that nearly all of the entertainers at 2007 event performed for no charge.

"While Cardiff-Wales Mardi Gras has boasted an attendance of around 40,000 in recent years, this free event has continued to be run by a hardworking and committed team of volunteers.

"In particular the Mardi Gras committee have given extensive personal time and effort without payment to ensure the event is considered to be one of the front runners in the UK gay pride event calendar."

The event started in 1999 with around 5,000 people.

Organisers thanked Co-Operative Group, Admiral Insurance, the Fire Rescue Services of Wales, South Wales Police, Cardiff Council and National Assembly for Wales for their support for Mardi Gras.

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