Ferndale Pride Festival June 2013 Total Success !

I am so pleased to report that with our final financial results completed from the 2013 Ferndale Gay Pride festival, we are able to share success beyond our most optimistic projections.

More than 15,000 people attended some part of our weekend events, including the Rainbow Run, the pre-Friday event at Affirmations, the street festival, the Dyke March, and the parties in all of the clubs and restaurants along W. Nine Mile and Woodward Avenue. That is double our estimate from last year's festival's events.

The Chamber's Rainbow Run itself doubled in size, and doubled its fundraising.

The sponsors donated 40% more funding to the event, and we had an increase of 15% in businesses and organizations renting booth space. We had two stages instead of one, and total funds raised grew by more than one third.

Funds that were pure profit, which are being donated to Ferndale Community Foundation, Affirmations, and Michigan AIDS Coalition, were up by 50%, and total $15,000.

The weather held up after a week of rain, and most importantly, the community got to gather in its diversity and pride and have fun. Ferndale loves its festivals, and the Ferndale festival organizers deserve all of the credit.

The folks who put this festival on with me this year include Greg Pawlica, Julia Music, Monica Mills, Tony Phoenix, Derek Pratley, Eddie Mulak, and Sharon Chess. Kudos to you all!