According
to Executive Director Charles Irwin, the move to a different site for
PrideFest is just one way that people will begin to know the new face of
Colorado Springs Pride. "We have spent the past year working with our
board and our partners to reposition, re-brand and redirect Colorado
Springs Pride," he says. "We are The Voice for the LGBT community in the
Pikes Peak region. This means we will be intently focusing on our
mission to connect, support and empower LGBT individuals while creating
community. And cosPRIDE-FEST is certainly one way we create community."
This
year's PrideFest theme, "The Summer of Love," is in recognition of
recent legislation that allows civil unions and the current deliberation
of the Defense of Marriage Act at the Supreme Court level. However, the
festival is rooted in a tradition that goes back over 40 years and
commemorates the Stonewall Riots of 1969, an event that catalyzed the
gay community to become more cohesive and active on its own behalf.
The
23rd Colorado Springs PrideFest (cosPRIDE-FEST 23) will feature a
Family Day on Saturday, July 20. Included in the festivities will be
bounce houses, face painters and family-focused entertainment. Sunday,
July 21 will showcase a new Big Gay 5K run, a longer parade through
downtown ending near the park, a beer garden, a VIP area and the
Shoutocracy.com Main Stage featuring emcee Mustang Monroe with the best
in entertainment, including rising star Porsha DeMarco, who will open
for PrideFest headliner Matthew Hosey and His Fuegos, discovered by
Bruno Mars. Close to 200 food, beverage, merchandise and nonprofit
vendors will be at the event.
For more information about sponsorship and vending opportunities, contact Charles Irwin at 719-471-4429.
