Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Audio By Carbonatix
Denver PrideFest is one of the nation’s largest Pride events, and it took over Civic Center Park on Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, with its annual parade and more festivities.
About 200 pro-Palestine protesters delayed the parade at its start on Sunday, before police moved them to the side of the street, according to CPR. The demonstrators later joined the parade down Colfax, and were welcomed to the PrideFest stage by MC DeMarcio Slaughter, who asked them to share their perspective. As many have since noted on social media, the history of Pride events is rooted in the right to protest, as well as the intersectionality of major issues.
But overall, the festival carried the celebratory ethos it’s always maintained. See photos of the parade and party below:
A couple enjoying Denver PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Attendees walking through the crowd at PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
What better way to keep cool at PrideFest?
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A group of women smile for a portrait during Denver PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A PrideFest attendee using a Pride umbrella to stay cool.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Festival-goers beating the heat at PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A group of festival attendees wear masks and tout Pride flags.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
The scene at Civic Center Park during PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A group of PrideFest volunteers smile for a portrait during Denver PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Pride flags were everywhere throughout the parade.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Fans keep you cool — and looking cool.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A motorcyclist carries a Pride flag.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
The parade included bikers.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
The Center on Colfax walking in the Denver PrideFest parade, which it has produced since 1990.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A parade participant waves a Pride flag.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A parade participant smiles for the camera during Denver PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Denver Flaggots performing at PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Denver Flaggots performing at PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A parade participant smiles.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Parade attendees participating in the Denver PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Parade attendees participating in the Denver PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Wave that flag!
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A group of people wearing Luv for the Win shirts at the parade during Denver PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A truck decked out in Pride gear for Denver PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A man playing the trumpet during the Denver PrideFest parade.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A couple enjoying Denver PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A marching band during the Denver PrideFest parade.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Festival attendees await the parade at Denver PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Festival attendees await the parade at Denver PrideFest.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A parade participant on roller skates.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Parade participants on top of a float.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Parade participants supporting Pride Month and calling for a free Palestine.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Riding with style in the parade.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Festival attendees waiting for the parade.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
A man smiles during the Denver PrideFest parade.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Lonnie Hanzon’s E Pluribus Unum installation for Pride.
Photography By: Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Learn more about the festival in our cover story on the history of Denver Pride.