What began as an uncertain future became a celebration that refused to disappear. After funding cuts put Aurora Pride in a difficult position, the OUT FRONT Foundation pushed forward, found new support, secured community partners, and helped ensure Pride returned for another year.
On Saturday, August 29, Aurora Pride welcomed the community to its new home at Winged Melody Park. That return was made possible by a growing group of community partners. The City of Aurora restored a $5,000 sponsorship, while The Aurora Highlands opened Winged Melody Park as the festival’s new home. Additional support came from UCHealth, the American Red Cross, Arapahoe County Public Health, Adams County Health Department, Aurora Mental Health & Recovery, and X Bar.
After months of uncertainty, Aurora Pride was finally ready to welcome the community, and OUT FRONT was the first to do it. Positioned as the very first booth inside the festival, the OUT FRONT team greeted guests with copies of OFM, and rows of Pride bags filled with items and information from organizations supporting the celebration.
From there, festivalgoers entered a colorful stretch of booths representing the many people and organizations that helped bring Aurora Pride to life. Local artists and small businesses displayed handmade accessories, books, and LGBTQ+ merchandise, while health organizations and community-service providers connected visitors with information and resources.
With more than 60 vendors spread across Winged Melody Park, the festival offered more than entertainment. Booths from supporters such as UCHealth, the American Red Cross, and local public-health organizations helped make Aurora Pride a place where guests could celebrate, shop, and connect with services created to support the community.
Some booths even turned those connections into a little friendly competition. At the AARP booth, guests tested their aim by throwing toy axes at a retirement-themed target. 
Nearby, businesses and local officials welcomed visitors with giveaways, information, and other activities. Booths included Champion Home Exteriors and Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Joan Lopez.
Parasol Patrol was also on hand to share its mission of shielding children and families from hateful signs and speech at LGBTQ+ and BIPOC events.
Of course, Pride also offered a different kind of welcome: open arms. Volunteers from Free Mom Hugs stood ready to share affirming embraces with anyone who needed one.
Four-legged festivalgoers were included, too. Hike Doggie offered free pup cups and a doggie dye station, giving Pride’s canine guests a colorful way to join the celebration. 
Beyond the booths, Aurora Pride’s stage kept the celebration moving with live entertainment throughout the day. Two vocalists brought their own distinct sounds and styles to the festival, giving the crowd even more reason to gather on the grass and enjoy the show.
The energy continued with drag performances from Cousin T, Red, and Heavenly Powers. Stepping off the stage and onto the lawn, the performers brought bold looks, plenty of personality, and playful crowd interaction directly to Aurora Pride guests.
After all the excitement of the drag performances, the stage shifted toward a more meaningful moment as Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and Mayor Pro Tem Alison Coombs joined the celebration to officially recognize Aurora Pride. With Coffman beside her, Coombs read a city proclamation honoring Aurora Pride’s 10th anniversary, its first celebration at Winged Melody Park, and its continued contributions to community, visibility, and belonging across Aurora. The proclamation also recognized the OUT FRONT Foundation and magazine as “an enduring publication marking its 50th year of uplifting LGBTQ+ voices.” 
Following the proclamation, the celebration returned to dance as Dance en Masse Dance Troupe took the stage. With performers of different ages moving together through coordinated choreography, flowing costumes, and plenty of energy, the troupe fit naturally into Aurora Pride’s welcoming, family-friendly celebration and its diverse lineup of local talent. 
Later in the afternoon, Dustin Schlong took the stage to get the crowd warmed up and ready for Aurora Pride’s drag king showcase.
Once the crowd was ready, Indie Inherpants and Valintino Verde launched into the drag king showcase before host Dustin Schlong joined them for the final performance. All three delivered impressive lip-syncs, fun personalities, and plenty of great moves as they traveled across the lawn, collected tips, and interacted with guests.
Dustin brought the showcase to a meaningful close with a performance celebrating transgender pride, ending beneath the colors of a transgender flag.
Next, Ballet Folklórico Sangre de México Dance Troupe filled the stage with color, culture, and tradition. Dancers of all ages moved together in vibrant dresses, lifting and sweeping their skirts through the air as they shared the beauty and energy of Mexican folklórico dance with the Aurora Pride crowd.
Sadly, Colorado’s unpredictable weather soon began putting on a performance of its own. Lightning flashed in the distance as the approaching storm shifted the festival’s atmosphere. More vendors began packing up, festivalgoers headed for the exits, and fewer new guests arrived.
Still, the Denver House of Perpetual Joy kept the spirit of Pride alive. One member launched into an improvised solo performance beside the group’s booth, strumming a ukulele and serenading everyone who walked by, even as the storm drew closer.
Even with a storm approaching, the party carried on at the OUT FRONT booth. Festivalgoers gathered beneath the canopy to browse locally crafted jewelry, artwork, and books, bringing Aurora Pride to a lively close despite the darkening skies.
Beyond the performances and festivities, Aurora Pride creates an important space for LGBTQ+ visibility, connection, and access to supportive community resources. Continuing that work will require ongoing support from sponsors, vendors, volunteers, donors, and attendees. After seeing the community come together for its 10th anniversary, here’s hoping next year brings twice the turnout and even more Pride to Aurora.
Photos by Alissha R.
