Panoramic Pride

Find new ways to celebrate at this year's PrideFest.

Comments (0) By Debra A. Myers Thursday, Jun 22 2006

The one bad thing about PrideFest is that it's never long enough. We wait all year for our one day in the sun, and when it's finally here, we give mad props. We wear silly costumes, we march in the parade, we dance, we flirt, we drink warm, weak draft beer out of plastic cups, and then — poof! — it's over.

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But wait: We can make the fun last longer by starting the party a day early. Tonight's Pre-Pride revelry ranges from "Naughty Haughty" — with DJs and go-go dancers at the Foxhole, 2936 Fox Street — to the "Pride Weekend Startup Party" at JR's Bar & Grill, 777 East 17th Avenue.

And this year, there will be two full days of PrideFest. Starting at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Civic Center Park is the place to be for all things Pride. Family Field Day (kids, dogs and adults welcome) includes singing and dancing, limbo and hula-hoop contests, balloon tosses and, of course, "drag" races. At 7 p.m., Nancy Norton and the Denver Gay Men's Chorus will relax the runny-nosed rugrats and their 'rents with comedy and a concert. Get back into gear on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m., when the Denver Dykes on Bikes contingent leads the parade from Cheesman Park down East Colfax Avenue to Civic Center Park. After a rally at noon, performers will work it on stage while we all shake our groove thangs until the festival finally ends at 5 p.m.

Those not in the know can visit the History Pavilion to learn about the observance's origins. Pride was instituted to commemorate the June 1969 riots at the Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village where queer patrons rose up for the first time against police oppression and brutality. It's a sobering thought, especially for those of us who are busy eating, drinking and being gay. So let go and get crazy with your community this weekend, but remember those who fought so you could show your Pride.

To peruse pre-Pride parties, check out www.cafevivid.com. For more on PrideFest, go to www.pridefestdenver.org or call 303-733-7743. To ride with Denver Dykes on Bikes, cruise over to http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/ group/denverdykesonbikes.
Sat., June 23, 7 p.m.