PrideFest Milwaukee reports record crowd

PrideFest Milwaukee reported a record-breaking 31,295 people attended the three-day celebration held June 6-7 at the Summerfest grounds on Milwaukee's lakefront.

The attendance was an increase of 3 percent from the record 30,385 visitors who celebrated at PrideFest in 2010.

Festival organizers said revenue results, including the funds raised for the Plus One campaign benefiting the ACLU of Wisconsin, were not available.

The festival opened at June 6 shortly after news broke that a federal district judge had overturned Wisconsin's constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage.

"We are so deeply humbled by what we've seen and heard this weekend," said Kate Sherry, festival co-producer. "Our visitors, volunteers, and performers shared how excited and proud they were to be here, with us, during this historic weekend. You have been heard and we are feeling the love. Thank you for all the photos, emails, voicemails, tweets, Facebook posts, and hugs." 

She continued, "It makes us so very proud to know how much PrideFest Milwaukee means for the LGBT community, city, state and region. The festival is staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers, many of whom work year-round to make PrideFest possible. Your kind words mean the world to us."

PrideFest organizers said they worked with Visit Milwaukee, Pabst Theater Group, BMO Harris Bradley Center and the Milwaukee Pride Parade to organizer create a four-day weekend for LGBT Pride celebrants in Milwaukee and traveling to the city.

"PrideFest is extremely pleased with everything that happened this weekend: wonderful weather, outstanding programming and such beautiful crowds," PrideFest Milwaukee president Scott Gunkel said in a news release. "The timing of the marriage equality news was a great gift to the people of Wisconsin and our PrideFest visitors. Love won out, pure and simple, this weekend."