Folks enjoy the Equal Threshold installation by Lonnie Hanzon at the Denver PrideFest at Civic Center Park June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Competitors “Glenn Closer,” and “Hairy Junku Rawmen” crossing W. Irvington Pl. at Broadway on a newly painted Broadway Rainbow Crosswalk during the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off June 15, 2018. Buffalo Exchange Colorado, the Baker Broadway Merchant Association and Denver Councilman Jolon Clark worked to raise $25,000 for two rainbow crosswalks at the intersection that hosts the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off in celebration of Denver PrideFest. “Ramen” won the contest taking home multiple prizes. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Cheer Colorado cheerleaders, adult volunteer cheerleaders that raise awareness and money for the LGBT community, do cartwheels across W. Irvington Pl. and Broadway on newly painted Broadway Rainbow Crosswalk before the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off June 15, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
A bicyclist entertains the crowd gathered for the the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off in support of PrideFest June 15, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
“Nixi Pixi,” left, and “Pax Fleming” cross Broadway at W. Irvington Pl. during the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off June 15, 2018. Buffalo Exchange Colorado, the Baker Broadway Merchant Association and Denver Councilman Jolon Clark worked to raise $25,000 for two rainbow crosswalks at the intersection that hosts the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off in celebration of Denver PrideFest. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
“Glenn Closer” waits to cross Broadway at W. Irvington Pl. during the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off June 15, 2018. Buffalo Exchange Colorado, the Baker Broadway Merchant Association and Denver Councilman Jolon Clark worked to raise $25,000 for two rainbow crosswalks at the intersection that hosts the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off in celebration of Denver PrideFest. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
“Glenn Closer” crosses Broadway at W. Irvington Pl. during the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off June 15, 2018. Buffalo Exchange Colorado, the Baker Broadway Merchant Association and Denver Councilman Jolon Clark worked to raise $25,000 for two rainbow crosswalks at the intersection that hosts the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off in celebration of Denver PrideFest. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Schuyler Lakey, center, strikes a pose waiting to cross W. Irvington Pl. at Broadway on a newly painted Broadway Rainbow Crosswalk during the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off June 15, 2018. Buffalo Exchange Colorado, the Baker Broadway Merchant Association and Denver Councilman Jolon Clark worked to raise $25,000 for two rainbow crosswalks at the intersection that hosts the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off in celebration of Denver PrideFest. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Spectators enjoy the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off at W. Irvington Pl. and Broadway on newly painted Broadway Rainbow Crosswalks June 15, 2018. Buffalo Exchange Colorado, the Baker Broadway Merchant Association and Denver Councilman Jolon Clark worked to raise $25,000 for two rainbow crosswalks at the intersection that hosts the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off in celebration of Denver PrideFest. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Cheer Colorado cheerleaders send Lindsay Miller high up in the air on Broadway at W. Irvington Pl. and Broadway on newly painted Broadway Rainbow Crosswalk before the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off June 15, 2018. Buffalo Exchange Colorado, the Baker Broadway Merchant Association and Denver Councilman Jolon Clark worked to raise $25,000 for two rainbow crosswalks at the intersection that hosts the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off in celebration of Denver PrideFest. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Fans react to drag performer, Zarah from Diva Academy at Denver's PrideFest in Civic Center Park June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Drag performer, Zarah from Diva Academy, gets the crowd fired up during a performance at Denver's PrideFest in Civic Center Park June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Xexal Nightshade dances underneath a tent at the Denver PrideFest at Civic Center Park June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Dominic Garza sporting Pride glasses at the Denver PrideFest inside Civic Center Park June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Ben Shettsline struts his stuff across broadway at W. Irvington Pl. on a newly painted Broadway Rainbow Crosswalk during the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off June 15, 2018. Buffalo Exchange Colorado, the Baker Broadway Merchant Association and Denver Councilman Jolon Clark worked to raise $25,000 for two rainbow crosswalks at the intersection that hosts the annual Crosswalk Walk-Off in celebration of Denver PrideFest. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Souvenir tent selling flags and other goods at Denver's PrideFest at Civic Center Park June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
The crowd reacts to drag show from the Diva Academy at Denver's PrideFest in Civic Center Park June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
A fan enjoys a drag show during Denver's PrideFest at Civic Center Park June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Drag performer, Zarah from Diva Academy, gets the crowd fired up during a performance at Denver's PrideFest in Civic Center Park June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Lola Carter, on the shoulders of her father, Chris Carter, waves a rainbow flag during festivities in the amphitheater in Civic Center Park for Denver's PrideFest June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Saoirse Fritz, 2, gets a look up to the main stage in Civic Center Park for Denver's PrideFest at Civic Center Park June 16, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Foote sports rainbow wings and feather hat at Civic Center Park for Denver's PrideFest June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Folks file into Civic Center Park for Denver's PrideFest June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Miranda Stanfield, left, her her picture taken by a friend with Dani Jaymes from Boston, Massachusetts in Civic Center Park during Denver PrideFest June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Rainbow wings were plentiful at the Denver PrideFest at Civic Center Park June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
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Folks enjoy the Equal Threshold installation by Lonnie Hanzon at the Denver PrideFest at Civic Center Park June 16, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
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By Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
PrideFest kicked off with a 5K run that ended at the Capitol, across the street from the festivities. The park was lined with food trucks, live music and vendors. Some booths were recruiting police cadets or distributing LGBTQ-centered health information — or selling books about lesbians in space.
Later in the afternoon, on the Capitol steps, the ninth annual Denver Dyke March and Rally promised a less male-centric area for people to be heard.
The festival’s promotion of unhindered self-expression was evident in the wild costumes, dance moves and hair colors.
