If You're Happy and You Know It, Say "Yas Queen!" - The Center on Colfax

A Look Back at Day One of Denver PrideFest

Wow, what a day! The food was tasty, the ice-cold beverages were flowing, and the weather held up beautifully, as thousands of people kicked off Denver PrideFest (in style, we might add) down in Civic Center Park today. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from Day 1:

Pride 5K

700 participants started Denver PrideFest off on the right foot in the Pride 5K race. With awards being handed out for fastest times, costume, and top fundraisers, there was something for everyone to aspire to when the race began this morning.

We were so inspired by everyone who chose to run, walk, roll or sashay in support of The Center’s programs and services for the LGBTQ community - thank you, all!

Entertainment Highlights

Veteran emcee Demarcio Slaughter was his usual talented, fabulous self on The Center Stage, keeping the crowd laughing and moving all day long (who doesn’t want to do the cha-cha slide at sunset in a big, happy crowd?). The Center Stage’s incredible lineup of talent was highlighted with a performance by Kameron Michael’s from Ru Paul’s Drag Race, who also took time to meet with fans in the Wells Fargo VIP Area.

And, the U.S. Bank Latin Stage was a hoppin’ good time for festival attendees of all ages, who were treated to a bit of both the old and the new. Traditional cultural dance performances mixed seamlessly with the DJs spinning today’s hottest Latin tracks.

And, as always, the dancing didn’t stop at Smirnoff DanceWorld until the DJs - some of the best working the LGBTQ nightclubs in Denver - finally had to shut it down at the close of the day. Tomorrow, international star DJ Barry Harris will be headlining another great line-up, so come back to shake your groove thing again on Sunday.

Let’s Hear It for the Youth!

Over in the Walmart Youth Alley, the youth of Rainbow Alley pulled out all the stops, featuring a drag show with larger-than-life talent and a solo concert by Ersatz Robots’ Galen Mitchell.

Come back tomorrow for another drag show, plus activities like water fights, games, and crafts all day long. Children’s Hospital is on-site during PrideFest providing free, confidential HIV/STI testing.

Family Day a Hit!

Today was Family Day at Denver PrideFest, and the Smartypants Vitamins Family Area kept things lighthearted and engaging for the youngest festival attendees.

It’s really just a magical place where spontaneous toddler dance parties erupt on the Floor & Decor family dance floor, you get to poke around in the dirt with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and the friendliest drag queens stop by to teach you one of the most important lessons of Pride, “If you’re happy and you know it, say ‘Yas Queen.’”