Austin Pride Festival still a success, after postponement

The beat of drums and singing voices could be heard throughout the afternoon inside fiesta gardens Saturday. Despite being rescheduled because of Hurricane Harvey, Austin's Pride Festival still had a great turnout.

“We've had more pre sold tickets this year than we've had in the past which is good,” said Paul Huddleston, president of Austin Pride.

With more than 150 vendors inside the park, festival goers had no shortage of activities and options. But this year's festival takes on new meaning. A portion of the proceeds will go to those affected by Hurricane Harvey. An action that organizers believe demonstrates a core value of the organization.

“Pride in Austin, there is just so much love. That's number one,” said Alejandro Victoria, director of Austin Pride Festival.

Organizers say pride fest is the largest yearly LGBTQ fundraising effort and advocacy event in the area.  Several non-profits and social clubs use the festival as an opportunity to reach out to many people.

“Seeing the amount of people, the eclectic amount of people, I think that's really important. The walks of life of people here is so different,” said Victoria.

Harvey may have pushed the festival back, but people still showed up in numbers. The hurricane brought on a new meaning and effort for this year's Pride. But the message of unity and love will continue to remain the same, no matter the cause.

“Austin itself is an amazing city. Add Austin Pride, and you have one of the best Prides in the country here,” said Victoria.