The sun was rising at Cheesman Park on Sunday, and Roy Vestal was ready to climb aboard the Mile High Freedom Band’s float for its 25th foray in Denver PrideFest’s parade.
He’s seen some changes in the biggest event of the year for the city’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
“We used to march, but our knees got old so now we ride,” said Vestal, the conductor. “But the big thing I’ve noticed is the crowds. You used to have bottles flying out on us. But those jeers have turned to cheers.”
PrideFest mixes political rally, summer revel and Halloween party. It drew 210,000 people in 2007. More were expected this year.
Sunday’s parade began in Cheesman Park, cut north on Franklin Street, then turned west on a packed Colfax Avenue before ending two hours later in Civic Center, where the party went on.
Leading the way were scores of women on motorcycles, including Sandra Ewing, who was riding a 1999 Harley-Davidson with a glowing turquoise paint job.
“I’ve been gay my entire life, and I remember the very first parade in 1975 when there were maybe two floats,” said Ewing, 51. “It just means so much to me to see the way Colorado has grown with the gay population.”
The parade has become a testament to the gay community’s monetary might. Entries bore logos of such corporations as Coors, Frontier Airlines and Wells Fargo. Frito- Lay’s Crackerjack mascot, clad as a sailor, drew cheers.
As always, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Logan Street was a politically charged site. There were protest signs: “Homos Are Filthy Perverts,” “Sodomy = Sin.” Many float riders gave as good as they got — and members from a dozen area churches also marched in the parade.
Charlie’s, a bar at Colfax and Emerson Street, had opened at 7 a.m. “We usually wait until 11 a.m. on Sundays,” said doorman Jerry Howe. “But on our national holiday, we open early.”
For the easily unsettled — folks better off at PrudeFest — the morning offered its moments.
Take the guy in a black leather kilt with the spaniel pup and an “I’m Going Commando” T-shirt. No, he wasn’t in the Army.
There was a flotilla of hip-grinding cabana boys, and scores of sashaying Miss Things. “Mr. Front Range Bear 2008” looked like Grizzly Adams in a leather biker’s cap. Janet Jenkins, Miss International Gay Rodeo, sported a tiara the size of a small steer.
And there were some beautiful juxtapositions. The parade passed the Fillmore Auditorium, whose marquee plugged the July 11 show by Boys Like Girls. Who knew?
The morning’s biggest cheers went to the members of PFLAG — Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Bearing signs announcing “I Love My Gay Child,” their entourage was two blocks long.
Perhaps the day’s sweetest moment: Two elderly and ailing lesbians stopped a buffed-out gay kid and asked where he got his rainbow lei. “Up the street,” he said.
A pause. “Would you like it?”
Before they could answer, he took it off, placed it around one woman’s neck, and walked on. She bestowed it on her partner with a quick kiss. They had lived long enough for that, at least.
Finally, two hours after the revelry began, a final hum of engines: sweepers cleaning up the street.
Like the best parties, it wasn’t over. It had just moved on.
William Porter writes Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at wporter@denverpost.com or 303-954-1977.
