Pride march brings thousands to Center City as festival moves to Benjamin Franklin Parkway

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Thousands filled Center City on a bright, sunny Sunday for the annual Pride March and Festival, bringing a wave of color, music and celebration to Philadelphia's streets.

Participants said the event - themed "Pride Is Power" - offered a space for joy, visibility and community.

"I love the energy, I love that Philly is able to express themselves and actually come to an event and be themselves and not be judged," said Stephanie Schafer of Warminster.

Megan DeLucia of the City of Brotherly Love Softball League said the day carried a simple message. "Today just means love. Love trumps all. And there's more love than hate in the world so we're here just to display that."

This year's march concluded on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, where the Pride Festival was held for the first time. Organizers said the move from the Gayborhood was driven by the event's continued growth and the need for a larger space.

Grand marshal Naiymah Sanchez said the theme resonated personally. "My existence is resistance. So as I continue to navigate the systems, the world, policy rooms, I'm bringing that forward," she said.

With Pride Month leading into preparations for America's 250th anniversary, some attendees said the moment felt especially meaningful.

"For me it's in two respects - I grew up in Philadelphia, I live near Independence Hall," said Mark Segal of the Philadelphia Gay News. "I feel patriotism every single day and I feel the Declaration of Independence and I know that speaks to me as a gay man."

The festival continues until 7 p.m. and admission is $10.