Growing from grassroots: Pride in the Park’s impact and reach soars in 4th year
The event drew over 2,700 people, but the organization had almost double the touch points throughout Pride month
Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily Archive
Despite the rain, this year’s Pride in the Park drew the largest crowds, sponsors and donations since the event’s inception four years ago.
“The success of this year’s Pride in the Park serves as a powerful rallying call to recognize the impact of celebrations that foster acceptance and understanding among our LGBTQ+ and diverse communities,” said Madison Partridge, the executive director of Mountain Pride, a local LGBTQ+ support and advocacy nonprofit. “Pride celebrations go beyond mere festivities; they create a space where people can authentically express themselves without fear of discrimination or prejudice.”
The organization recently released a “proof of performance” for the 2023 Pride in the Park, sharing statistics, stories and photos to demonstrate the event’s impact.
This year, Pride in the Park attracted over 2,700 attendees — more than double the 1,200 that attended in 2022. While the large majority (73%) of these individuals were from Eagle County, it also brought people from neighboring Summit (6%) and Mesa (5%) counties as well as from Denver (5%). These individuals primarily identified as members of the LGBQIA+ community (54%), but there was a large percentage, 45%, that identified as allies.
In addition to those that came out to celebrate at Nottingham Park in Avon, there were 20 more vendors than the previous year’s event. In total, these 60 vendors generated over $30,000 in revenue. Pride in the Park raised $50,000 through sponsorship, merchandise, sales and donations — with all proceeds supporting Pride in the Park and Mountain Pride.
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It was also the first year that Mountain Pride expanded from a week of events to a whole month of Pride events, including expanding to events in neighboring mountain communities. This allowed for a “more significant, more community-focused impact,” Partridge said.
“This expanded approach led to a staggering increase in meaningful touchpoints, nearly reaching 4,500, almost equivalent to the total touchpoints we had throughout the entirety of 2022,” Partridge added. “The resounding response and attendance vividly illustrate the significance and necessity of our work, highlighting the very reason we established ourselves as a nonprofit organization — to bridge the gaps our communities have experienced for countless years.”
Partridge noted that the success of this year’s event is due to the “incredible dedication of our volunteer team” as well as the event’s sponsors, “especially the local business community, who have embraced allyship and provided crucial financial backing.”
“Their generous support has not only elevated our flagship event, Pride in the Park, but has also bolstered our year-round programming, making a profound impact on our ability to reach more individuals and invest in their social determinants of healthy, so that queer people can live, work and play in our community for years to come,” Partridge said.
Building connections
While the numbers showcase the growing reach and engagement of Mountain Pride, the impact of Pride goes beyond statistics.
“The biggest success of this year’s Pride in the Park is its ability to forge powerful connections and solidarity among our queer, trans, nonbinary, and allied individuals. Pride serves as a beacon of hope, driving our collective liberation and visibility within our mountain communities,” Partridge said. “Pride in the Park is not just about celebration; it is about pushing for change, acceptance, and safety for each and every queer or questioning individual in our communities.”
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Partridge added that this connection is especially vital “amid the alarming rise of anti-LGBTQ bills in the US and facing hateful rhetoric here in Eagle County.”
“By supporting Pride in the Park and similar events, we send a clear message of unity against bigotry and hatred, affirming the rights of all individuals to live their truth openly and proudly,” Partridge said. “These celebrations are catalysts for positive change, bringing our communities closer together, and forging a future where everyone can flourish and thrive.”
Pride all year
While Pride in the Park is the nonprofit’s flagship event and biggest of the year, its growth over the past four years has enabled the expansion of year-round programming for Mountain Pride. Partridge said that looking ahead, the nonprofit is looking for new opportunities for initiatives, education and fun events as it strives to stay “dynamic and responsive to the ever-changing needs of our community.”
Through the end of the year, the organization is continuing its Queer Book Club with The Bookworm, peer support groups, Queer Climbing Night at Eagle Climbing and Fitness, and monthly Coffee With Queers event as well as building larger events like themed Drag Shows.
Plus, it’s already looking ahead to June 1, 2024 — when it will host the fifth annual Pride in the Park and Nottingham Park.
“Mountain Pride wants everyone to know whether an individual has grown up or moved here, that they belong here and we are working to make sure we embrace, strengthen, and celebrate the diversity of our beautiful queer community,” Partridge said.
