PrideFest (Denver)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
PrideFest is an annual Gay pride event held each June in Denver, Colorado. PrideFest honors the culture and heritage of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in the State of Colorado. The annual event draws an estimated 170,000 spectators to downtown Denver and is presented by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado (GLBTCCC), or 'The Center'. This event consists of a parade, a rally and a street fair at Civic Center Park.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
PrideFest generally occurs throughout a weekend in late June. Celebrations at local establishments begin the week of PrideFest, with a conclusion of the entire celebration the following Sunday. Colfax Avenue is closed for the parade. After the parade, the roads surrounding Civic Center Park (Broadway, the "Colfax Curve", Bannock, and 14th Avenue) remain closed during the rally and street fair. Vendors sell a variety of products such as homemade jewelry, stained glass, apparel, food and services. Several companies and organizations also rent booths to show their support for Denver's and Colorado's LGBT community. Entertainment includes up to 4 different stages, offering local and nationally known performers. The festival comes to a close in the early evening. Roads are reopened about an hour after cleanup.
[edit] The Parade
The PrideFest parade generally begins at 10:00am. Floats are built by various companies and organizations that support LGBT rights. An average of 30 companies and organizations participate. The parade staging location is at Cheesman Park in Denver's gay village, the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The parade goes north two blocks to Colfax Avenue, then west toward downtown for about a mile, ending at Civic Center Park at Broadway and Colfax.
[edit] Attendees and Constituents
Denver's PrideFest has historically been host to many media and political agents who support the LGBT community. Some notable past attendees:
- Denver mayor John Hickenlooper (Hickenlooper also officially endorses the Festival, and marches every year).
- Former Denver mayor Wellington Webb
- Radio DJ Jamie White (non-local)
- Radio DJ's "Larry Ulibarri, Kendall and Kathy" from KS107.5
- Denver City Council members
In 2006, Denver played host to The Real World. PrideFest occurred during filming and was broadcast on the show.
[edit] Controversy
Denver is the capital city of a mostly conservative state. During Denver's PrideFest a one-block barrier zone, enforced by the Denver Police Department, insulates protestors from the events. Protests historically are small and non-violent. There are several churches within sight of PrideFest, but generally there is no negative activity.
