MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee’s PrideFest reported a record-breaking turnout this year.

Milwaukee Pride, Inc., the parent organization of PrideFest, reported that the festival, which ran June 1-3 at Henry Maier Festival Park, drew 42,603 attendees this year. That is the highest turnout the festival has seen while operating in a three-day format; the largest PrideFest attendance numbers were in 2019, when the festival operated four nights, which saw just under 46,000 festival-goers.

(Courtesy of Meg Strobel, via Milwaukee Pride, Inc.)

“PrideFest as a whole struck a different chord this year,” Milwaukee Pride, Inc. President & CEO Wes Shaver said. “It’s hard to put into words, but it’s clear to me that PrideFest’s appeal as a festival (in its most base and simple form) is the widest it’s ever been. Tens of thousands of people flooded Henry Maier Festival Park to not just support LGBT people and spaces, but to participate in them and the music, dancing, food and fun.”

PrideFest’s five stages welcomed several performers, DJs and more. From entertainers to stage crews, there were more than 400 individuals involved this year.

There was also a record in vendors, totaling 197 spaces across food, merchandise and sponsors.

“PrideFest 2023 was a smashing success. It was a great start to the festival season on Milwaukee’s lakefront,” CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Don Smiley said. “Great music, food and beverage was enjoyed by the record setting crowd. PrideFest once again showed the spirit of Milwaukee and beyond. Organizers should be proud of the impact they leave in the City of Festivals.”

PrideFest is Wisconsin’s largest LGBTQ+ event.