DENVER — The annual PrideFest parade and festival in Denver will move online for the June 20-21 celebration.
Rex Fuller, CEO of the Center on Colfax, said this will help prevent the spread of coronavirus, while still providing a safe way to celebrate the LGBTQ community.
“We exhausted every option before making this decision, including postponing the event to later in the summer, which just wasn’t possible,” Fuller said. “Although we will miss the energy of an in-person gathering, protecting the safety and health of the attendees, staff and volunteers who make PrideFest so special is paramount. Instead of just canceling Pride, which means so much to so many, we are working hard to create a variety of opportunities for our community to connect and celebrate virtually."
Activities will include a virtual parade, virtual 5K, virtual entertainment, virtual dance party, virtual exhibitor page, pride decorating contest and a pride job fair.
The PrideFest often draws more than 450,000 people to Civic Center Park over the two-day event. The PrideFest is also The Center on Colfax's largest fundraising, typically pulling in more than $1 million to help the organization. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock urged the community to support The Center.
"It’s crucial to do what we can to ensure that nonprofits can survive this time as well,” Hancock said in a news release.
The Center said it hopes to raise about $100,000 through the virtual event. More information about the event can be found at DenverPride.org.
