Gay Pride Breaks Attendance Records

Last weekend’s gay pride festival broke attendance record. Over 400,000 people attended the parade on Sunday and 45,000 attended the two-day festival.

That’s what Christopher Street West, the non-profit which produces the parade and festival, said in a press release today.

"We are thrilled that this year LA PRIDE exceeded our wildest imaginations in terms of enthusiasm, new features, corporate sponsorships and attendees," said Rodney Scott, board president of Christopher Street West, in a press statement. "Whether guests were enjoying powerhouse concerts by Lil' Kim, Karmin and Ivy Queen, splashing around in SummerTramp, dancing in Latino Carnival, visiting Erotic City or laughing with the very funny Fortune Feimster, everyone had a blast!"

Scott credited the expanded parkland area in West Hollywood Park, where the event was held, as a contributing factor in the increased attendance. The newly opened park now has an additional 2.5 acres of green space.

For the previous three years while the new West Hollywood Library was under construction, the amount of park space available for the festival was limited, causing many to complain about not having enough elbow room.

But with the expanded park, the festival was able to add the Summer Tramp water park area as well as several dance pavilions.

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