PRIDE

he said. “Next year I anticipate we’ll have more.” e 2022 celebration featured a concert and exhibition by muralists

Babe Walls and garnered the county the “Non-Fair Facility Usage Award 2022” from the International Association of Fairs and Expos, which recognizes successful events outside of the annual county fairs. is year’s celebration featured a water slide, volleyball, a foam cannon and a drag show leading up to the evening performance by pop star Bebe Rexha.

Denver LGBTQ pop-up organizers Rainbow Dome co-hosted the celebration, building an instant roller skating rink in the parking lot in front of the park’s Waymire Dome and presenting a ash mob there.

Zoe Campo, Adams County cultural arts manager said the county brought in the group to help give it a sense of exuberance.

“We think this event is all about fun and joy and that’s what they brought,” Campo said.

A midway along the edge of the parking lot featured tents with county o ces and vendors selling art, rainbow-colored clothing and gear while a handful of food trucks and vendors fed attendees along the other side, closer to the Waymire Dome.

County Commissioner Emma Pinter said last year’s event was centered on the grassy area below the parking lot. is year, the main events tent, the foam cannon and games were still down there but the event itself grew to include much more of the Riverdale park.

“We just found that the tents worked much better on the pavement,” she said. “We’re still learning. It’s our second year, and we’re still working on it.”

Next level

But the key event this year was the Marriagepalooza, the mass wedding. Zygielbaum said that idea came from his department sta .

“We participated in Pride last year, but we wanted to take it to the next level,” Zygielbaum said. “Since we oversee the issuance of marriage licenses for Adams County we thought it could be a great event and we started planning it a couple of months ago.” e clerk’s o ce issued rainbowcolored marriage licenses to the couples that took their vows at the

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