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His enthusiasm was shared Saturday at Denver PrideFest by other attendees, none of whom considered missing the festival despite the recent violence.

“Bad things are happening, but we aren鈥檛 gonna let it keep us from hanging out with each other and being supportive of each other,鈥� said Marina Valenzuela of Denver. 鈥淚 think this is one of the rare times where people get to be out and active and very, very open about who they are, and I think that抖阴ap fantastic.鈥�

Denver PrideFest is run by the 40-year-old Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado (a.k.a. The Center), and this year’s festival had increased security. Police officers were stationed throughout the festival and snipers perched on the roofs of surrounding buildings. Patrons’ bags were checked at each of the eight entrances to Civic Center park.

Other cities celebrating under increased security Saturday included Chicago, New Orleans, Columbus, Ohio; and Providence, R.I.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 feel the least bit unsafe,鈥� said Anthony Franker of Denver. He expected聽increased security and said, “There was nothing that was going to stop me from coming here because love and pride will always conquer hate in every moment of life.鈥�

An art installation by artist Lonnie Hanzon, which was a large black box painted with chalkboard paint, served as聽open memorial space to the victims of the Orlando聽shooting. It was filled with messages and drawings by noon Saturday.

The festival also聽featured live entertainment on three聽stages聽and more than 250 vendors and merchants offering arts, crafts, food and beverages, from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Saturday.聽The celebration聽continues聽from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sunday.

PrideFest isn’t about聽Backstreet Boys cover songs or watching the Dogs in Drag parade 鈥� although that event聽did draw crowds聽鈥� and it’s not even about wearing bright rainbow outfits. Instead,聽PrideFest is about coming together as a community and accepting one another for who they are and how they want to express themselves, several people said.

鈥淏eing supportive and being an ally and coming out and showing people you’re not afraid, I think that is really important,鈥� said Claudia Schanil, who moved with her two young children to Denver from Newtown, Conn.

Denver PrideFest continues Sunday

• 9:30 a.m. 鈥� The annual PrideFest parade starts at聽Cheesman Park and travels along Colfax Avenue to Civic Center.
• Noon 鈥� Rally to honor victims and survivors of the Orlando attacks. Colorado elected officials, faith leaders and community organization representatives are scheduled to speak.
• 6 p.m. 鈥� Festival concludes.