Milwaukee - Beautiful blue skies, cool breezes, and happy smiling faces were all on hand to kick off the final day of PrideFest Milwaukee 2011. With gates opening at noon, attendees were able to enjoy a day full of entertainment and activities. Many took advantage of a new web app developed just in time for the festival that allowed users to create their own itinerary for the weekend. Initial reports on www.pridefest.com/webapp showed that it was being downloaded every few minutes during the festival.
In order to ensure that the 25th Anniversary of PrideFest Milwaukee in June 2012 is all that it can be, organizers set up a tent at the front gate to collect information from those interested in providing feedback and opinions. The 2011 PrideFest Volleyball tournament took place all day, with a brief break so players and spectators alike could have the opportunity to attend the Milwaukee Pride Parade's annual parade on 2nd Street in Walkers Point. Riding in that parade, were this year's Mr. and Miss PrideFest, crowned in May.
On a weekend that included commitment ceremonies, belly dancing, juggling, video and light shows, DJ's, corn-dogs, sky gliders, a who's-who of entertainment lineup including Mo'Nique, Salt-N-Pepa, LeAnn Rimes and more, festival goers found themselves in an open and inviting space. "That is very important to us," says Kate Sherry, Communications Director for PrideFest. "The entire park is surrounded by a wall of welcoming rainbow flags. People of all ages are visiting us for the first time, some of whom are still not accepted by friends and family because of who they choose to love, or are too afraid to live their lives as an open LGBT individual. We hope that when they come here, they feel embraced and realize they are not alone."
After a rainy opening on Friday, the festival broke both Saturday and Sunday attendance records. "We are seeing some pretty decent numbers," said PrideFest President Scott Gunkel. "You know, it's hard to be upset, when you see so many people having such a great time. Rain or shine, we are grateful to a community that comes out in support of diversity and celebration." In 2010, the festival set it's highest attendance numbers to date, reaching 30,829. Sunday night, the final tally for 2011 was at 26,112.
Sunday evening, the Miller Lite Mainstage at PrideFest experienced several firsts. Country music was the star for the first time in the festival's history. Artist Chely Wright, first Country Music entertainer to come out publicly as a lesbian opened up for LeAnn Rimes, who told the crowd she was honored that PrideFest Milwaukee marked her inaugural debut performance at a pride festival. Rimes expressed her love and gratitude to the crowd, telling them "We all have hearts. We should be able to love who we want to love."
The Pump! Dance Pavilion produces what is undoubtedly the ultimate dance party of the summer, and Sunday's lineup headed by the incredible DJ Chris Cox was proof. Even though organizers set the grounds to close at 10 p.m., the dancing continued until after midnight.
The all-volunteer PrideFest Board and Production Team work year-round to produce the largest celebration of LGBT Pride on permanent festival grounds, and have already begun planning the 25th anniversary of PrideFest in 2012. For information on the festival, it's history, or how to become involved in various capacities, please visit www.pridefest.com .
