The Central Illinois Alliance for Diversity and Equality ( CIADE ) celebrated the success of its inaugural Peoria Pride Festival Sept. 13.
More than 1,700 people attended the Peoria riverfront event, according to a press release.
The event's speakers included State Sen. Dave Koehler; Peoria City Councilman Gary Sandberg; Jacksonville Alderman Scott Tinsley-Hall; Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois; Jim Bennett of Lambda Legal; Shannon Sullivan and Lexy Whitman of the Illinois Safe Schools Association; and U.S Senate candidate David Hoffman.
On the main stage, highlights included a performance by Windy City Gay Idol 2009 Amy Kelly and the Bill Ande Band, members of the Eastlight Theater RENT cast, local '80s cover band Rachel's Hippo, members of the Bradley University Speech Team, Joel Tinsley-Hall and the Lakeside Pride Freedom Band. Photos courtesy of Hector Martinez