Manchester Pride Parade 'Devotion' 2015 to be Lead by 'X-Men' Star Sir Ian McKellen

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Sir Ian McKellen will be leading the Manchester Pride Parade as grand marshal with this year's parade theme "Devotion."

The 76-year-old actor known for his role as Gandalf in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and Magneto in the "X-Men" movies is also a dedicated LGBT campaigner. The chief executive of the Manchester Pride parade was quoted as saying: "Sir Ian is a genuine inspiration for the global LGBT community," in a report by BBC.

"We're privileged that Sir Ian will be leading the parade through Manchester City Centre in this milestone year, where we are marking 25 years of charity fundraising events celebrating LGBT life in Manchester," Fletcher also said in the report by The Gay UK magazine.

The theme for 2015 is "Devotion" and according to the charity, the parade attendees are encouraged to shout about who they are devoted to.

"Whoever or whatever you're devoted to - the Manchester Pride Parade is the perfect platform to show your 'Devotion!'" according to the charity's website.

Fletcher added that Manchester is one of the most accepting cities in the world as it is "devoted to embracing and celebrity diversity," with all people, especially the LGBT community.

According to the Business Standard, the parade is expected to gather 2,500 LGBT supporters from across the land. It will be taking place on Aug. 29, Saturday, through the streets of Manchester.

The parade this year will go on a new route, BBC reports. It will begin from Liverpool Road to Deansgate, through Peter Street, to Oxford Street, Portland Street and then Princess Street. It will then proceed to turn to Whitworth Street where the parade will end on Fairfield Street, which is outside Manchester's Gay Village.

The Pride parade is a free-for-all event and is part of the Manchester Pride Festival, according to Manchester Evening News. However, for the Big Weekend celebration which will be held inside Gay Village, tickets are available for admission. The tickets will also help Manchester Pride's cause to help LGBT and HIV organizations in Greater Manchester.

Various tickets are made available for the whole 4-day event, from Aug 28 to Aug 31, Friday to Monday. Weekend tickets are currently at £25, day tickets are £12 to £15. Children's tickets are at £5. The fast-selling tickets can be bought at Quay Tickets. It can provide access to various event areas, such as the Sackville Gardens, the Expo, the Main Arena, the Gaydio Dance Arena and more.