By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Decatur’s first Pride Festival, which has stirred considerable comment and anguish since it was announced several weeks ago, drew a huge crowd to the Madison St. Plaza Saturday and had no major problems or disruptions.
“No, not all all, not one bit,” replied Decatur Deputy Police Chief Chris Brite on Sunday when asked if there had been any during the festival. “Oh, yeah, I did have to ask one guy to leave,” he chuckled. “He was drunk (not in the festival area); his wife came and got him.”
Six people – four men and two women – carrying signs onto the plaza – were told they needed to take their signs to the protest area and they did without any hassle.
Brite, in the absence of Chief Kevin Gerber, who was out of town, oversaw a rather heavy police presence. In addition to officers milling about, a police drone was overhead at times and one or two officers were atop the Adams County Courthouse.
“We wanted to be prepared,” the deputy chief said.
He added that the Indiana State Police sent two officers to the area “just in case they would be needed,” and that a couple of sheriff’s officers who were present “were just guys on regular duty.”
Brite also pointed out that the extra security was paid for by the Decatur Pride organization.
Those funds came from a donation by the owners of Two Brothers Bar & Restaurant in Decatur.
Although half of a block of Madison St. west of Second St., and the Adams County Courthouse lawn were designated by police as an area for protesters, the areas were empty, save, mainly, for two men.
One brought a portable PA system to project his voice.
“Biggest crowd I’ve ever seen.”
TURNOUT: It was estimated that approximately 1,000 people turned out for the event, despite temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s and a wealth of sunshine.
Organizers had originally said a couple of hundred people were expected to attend.
“They (organizers) said there were probably a thousand people, adults and kids, and I would say that was probably pretty close.” Brite noted.
“It was pretty steady all day. That was the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen there (on the plaza).”
There was only one entrance/exit, with ID’s checked on everyone who entered.
Cindy’s food truck and Two Brothers food was available for purchase, and numerous vendors were set up on both sides and the west end of the plaza.
The drag show lasted an hour.
About the Author
