Denver Pride’s flagship events will look a lot different this year.
PrideFest is moving to 16th Street as construction takes over its longtime home in Civic Center Park. It will also be held on just one day: Sunday, June 28.
Earlier this year, Center on Colfax executive director Kim Salvaggio said that in lieu of a second day of PrideFest, the Center was planning a “rolling Pride,” with multiple celebrations throughout the month of June.
“The plan is that you need to see yourself at Pride. Pride looks like you. So how can we activate the entire city for the month of all sorts of different queer identities and experiences for people to enjoy,” Salvaggio said.
The 5K run also has a new-ish route, effectively playing out in reverse. Instead of starting by the Capitol steps and passing through Cheesman Park at the mid-point, the walk-run-sashay will kick off in the park before heading down 14th Street.
The parade will take over 17th Street for the second year in a row.
Here’s the rundown on the big three events this weekend. (And if you’re looking for more ways to celebrate Pride, check out our guide.)
Denver Pride 5K
Saturday, June 27
9 a.m.
The race begins at 9 a.m. from the Pavilion at Cheesman Park. Participants will head up out of the park on Franklin Street and go down 14th. Racers will turn back around on Sherman by the Capitol and finish in Cheesman.
Registration is still open and costs $54.25 (including fees) per person. The race benefits The Center on Colfax.
You can pick up your bib in Cheesman either on Friday, June 26, between 3-6 p.m., or day-of from 7:30-9 a.m. (Denver Pride recommends doing it Friday.)
More info about the race can be found here.
Denver Pride Parade
Sunday, June 28
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The parade is returning to 17th Street for another year, again replacing its usual Colfax home. (As was the case last year, BRT construction forced the change.)
The parade kicks off at 17th and Franklin at 9:30 a.m. and will end at Lincoln Street around 12:30 p.m. — ideal for walking over to the new festival grounds.
If you’re in the parade (fun!), line-up begins at 7:30 a.m. in Cheesman.
Parade marshals are drag queen Felony Misdemeanor; Megan Falley, author, poet and widow of the late Andrea Gibson; and the advocacy org One Colorado.
More information here.
Denver PrideFest
Sunday, June 28
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
The festival will take over 16th Street from Broadway to Arapahoe. Stages are located at:
- Center Stage: 16th and Broadway
- Dance World Stage: 16th between Welton and California
- Latin Stage: 16th and Champa
Drag artists Pattie Gonia, King Molasses and Nini Coco are headlining the festival on Center Stage.
Also on the festival route: multiple bars, a family area, food trucks and even a place to watch the first round of 32 match in the World Cup.
PrideFest is free to attend. More info here.
What are the transit impacts?
Expect road closures and additional traffic around all the events this weekend.
The 16th Street FreeRide (née MallRide) will run on a detoured route both Saturday and Sunday. Buses will run on 15th and 17th streets around the festival area, before merging back onto 16th Street between Lawrence and Union Station.
On Saturday, the 5K will impact these bus routes: 8, 19, 32, 48 and ART.
On Sunday, the parade and festival will impact these bus routes: 0, 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 15L, 16, 19, 20, 48, 52 and 83L.
RTD is adding cars to the C, E and W light rail lines on Sunday for PrideFest.
Additional security will be deployed across the system over the weekend.
You can read more about the transit impacts here. (RTD is also making transit changes on Friday for the Usher and Chris Brown concert at Empower Field, but that is decidedly not a Pride event. More on that from RTD here.)
What will the weather be?
Hot! Expect highs in the 90s both Saturday and Sunday, with clear skies and a bit of a breeze, per the National Weather Service. Stay hydrated and pack sunscreen, babes.
Denverite’s Kiara DeMare contributed to this story.
