DENVER, CO— More than 365,000 people participated virtually in Denver’s online PrideFest celebration June 20-21, according to The Center on Colfax, which presents the annual event. Denver PrideFest typically draws more than 450,000 to Civic Center Park, but this year’s celebration was moved online because of restrictions on public gatherings due to COVID-19.
“We didn’t know what to expect when we started planning a virtual festival, but we were overwhelmed by the strong response. The viewership shows how meaningful this celebration is to so many and reinforces our decision to continue the event in a different form,” said The Center’s CEO Rex Fuller.
Featuring a virtual auction, political rally, parade, family activities, a 5K race, and three stages of entertainment, the online PrideFest event offered the LGBTQ community a safe way to unite in celebration and strength in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The Coors Light Virtual parade, a compilation of fun, family-friendly videos, was streamed live on Denver7’s Facebook page, app and website as well as Denverpride.org and attracted an audience of more than 178,000.
Events and activities from the two-day festival continue to be available for viewing at DenverPride.org, including the virtual marketplace, queer author interviews and main stage entertainment.
Denver PrideFest is traditionally The Center’s largest fundraiser, providing over $1 million in support to help the organization serve more than 57,000 people annually with programs for LGBTQ+ youth, seniors, Colorado’s transgender community, and training and legal programs.
The Center, which had hoped to raise $100,000 through the virtual celebration, generated more than half of its goal from participation in the virtual 5K. The organization is still aiming to hit its fundraising target by the end of the month.
Although closed to the public, The Center continues to provide support to the community online and by phone. For more information call 303-733-7743 or visit https://lgbtqcolorado.org/.
About The Center on Colfax
The Center on Colfax opened in 1976 and over the years has grown to become the largest LGBTQ community center in the Rocky Mountain region, giving voice to Colorado’s LGBTQ community and playing a pivotal role in statewide initiatives to reduce harassment and discrimination. Today the Center is focused on fulfilling its mission – to engage, empower, enrich and advance the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community of Colorado – by ensuring that every member of the LGBTQ community has access to the programs and resources they need to live happy, healthy, and productive lives. The Center currently operates on an annual budget of $2.3 million, employs 20 staff members and utilizes more than 500 community volunteers to serve more than 52,000 people each year. www.lgbtqcolorado.org