DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — After last year's incidents at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, organizers of the Douglas County PrideFest have decided to change venues.
In August 2023, protesters walked into the event just ahead of a scheduled drag show performance. Witnesses said dozens of men showed up wearing matching t-shirts and tried to block the performance.
The protestors stayed there for about 40 minutes before security got them to move. Brittaney Campbell, the PrideFest events chair, was there with her kids.
"It still like brings up some tearful moments for me because I hate that our community felt that fearful in those moments," she explained. "My daughter told me afterword every time she looks at people in the community she sees those people that were there protesting and she doesn’t know who is safe anymore."
Campbell said Douglas County PrideFest is moving to the city of Parker. Organizers said it will be held at Salisbury Equestrian Park on August 4.
"We’re so excited," Brittaney Campbell the PrideFest Events Chair said. "We expanded here from Castle Rock Pride to Douglas County Pride and that means we open up a whole new avenue for stuff."
Those with the event hope the change in location will bring a change in response if protesters show.
"We are working on our PrideFest code of conduct and will hopefully be able to have a little more enforcement in this location," Campbell added.
Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon said he was surprised to hear of the move. He said last year's PrideFest was a family friendly event.
"I hope that PrideFest doesn't in any way feel as though they're not welcome in Douglas County," Laydon said. "It's disappointing to me that they would make a decision to relocate but we're pleased that they're still in Douglas County."
Organizers said this is the best move to create memories worth keeping.
"Just trying to create a space where everybody feels welcome and love for who they are," Campbell said. "That’s the most important thing that we all feel secure here and we just have a great time."
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