America the Beautiful — Equal and Proud
Colorado Springs will be holding their 24th annual pride (aptly named cosPRIDE-FEST 24) on July 19 and 20 this year, under the theme America the Beautiful — Equal and Proud, to celebrate LGBT equality, looking to the future, and demonstrating pride in our community.
Previous years have been plagued with wildfires that occur naturally in Colorado summers, but this year’s radical rainfall has inspired hope that the air won’t be tinged with smoke and worry for families in danger. Though Colorado Springs Pride has never been cancelled due to such fires, there has been risk.
Pride Saturday begins at 10am and will go until 8pm, and Pride Sunday also begins at 10am but will end at 6pm. There will be a first-ever Pride 5K on Sunday at 10am, followed by the Pride Parade at 11am, so runners: get your 3.1 miles done within an hour (we believe in you!). All are welcome to join in the run.
You’ll not go wanting for food at cosPRIDE-FEST 24: The Good Golly Grub Trolley will have all of the classics like green chili, french fries, and bbq staples like hot dogs and hamburgers, but they will also attempt (and we suggest you let them) to clog your arteries with fried macaroni and cheese with bacon, Elvis fries (fries smothered in sausage gravy and cheese), and the ominously named “Slopper” (a burger covered with shredded cheese, green chili, and hand-made onion straws).
A Beer Garden will also be set up during Pride operation hours, which will serve beer (of course), wine, and several cocktails. There will be a ticket-purchasing program just outside the Beer Garden tent.
Make sure to pick up your cosPRIDE-FEST 24 Pride Guide, which is available both days of Pride, for full details of the event.
Those wishing to volunteer for or set up an exhibition booth at Colorado Springs Pride may do so by applying on the website. There will be several “Get Your Gay On” booths which will be the only official Pride merchandise booths at cosPRIDE-FEST 24.
Parking will be available, as will a shuttle, though specific information is not yet available.
Entertainment for the main stage is still under negotiation, but specific information will be available soon. Heads up to the drag community: Applications for drag kings and queens are now being accepted.
All are welcome to the event, so long as they are willing to have fun celebrating the diversity of people from all walks of life. cosPRIDE-FEST 24 has had quite the history within the community. Their website states, “When the modern LGBT rights movement began with the Stonewall Riots in 1969, the Colorado Springs LGBT community was like any other. In fact, Colorado Springs is home to some of the nation’s oldest LGBT organizations, like the United Court of the Pikes Peak Empire, founded in 1973. Shortly after the riots, what’s known as the ‘Community Center’ movement began, and Pikes Peak Gay & Lesbian Community Center (PPGLCC) was formed in 1978, also ranking it among the nation’s oldest LGBT Centers. PPGLCC changed its name to Colorado Springs Pride in 2012.”
The event will be located at the America the Beautiful Park, at 126 Cimino Drive. For more updated information, visit the cosPRIDE-FEST 24 website at CosPride.org as July 19 & 20 approach.
