The Wayne Jakino Memorial was held yesterday at Charlie's. After food and a video about Jakino's life there were a number of speakers including Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey, state Rep. Joel Judd, City Councilperson Carla Madison, current and past presidents of CGRA, Rahn Anderson from The Center, and many friends, employees and business associates.
In addition to founding the CGRA and many other programs and initiatives, Rahn Anderson noted that, "Wayne Jakino changed the face of PrideFest."
Jakino did that by raising enough money to get Colfax completely blocked off for the Pride parade.
The balloons were released at the end of the ceremony outside in the Charlie's parking lot. Everyone was given a balloon as they were leaving after the speakers. After the speakers, everyone went outside to hear singer Chad Bryan, who sang Mercy Me's "I Can Only Imagine" while ballroom dancers LeighAnn Gould and Morris Vaccarella danced. During this time, all the attendees released their balloons and doves were also released.
Here are singer Chad Bryan and ballroom dancers LeighAnn Gould and Morris Vaccarella:
Below are some of "Wayne's Boys" - Jakino's past and present employees. There were way too many people to fit in one photo and there was not a dry eye in the house at this point.
* photos courtesy of Matt Kailey at Out Front Colorado
