MIDTOWN: Thousands gather for Atlanta Pride parade | News

ATLANTA - A record-setting crowd of thousands of people gathered in Midtown Atlanta Sunday to watch and take part in the Atlanta Pride Festival Parade.

COMPLETE COVERAGE: Atlanta Pride Festival Parade
PHOTOS: Atlanta Pride Festival Parade Gallery

The parade started at the Atlanta Civic Center, moved up Peachtree Street and then down 10th Street toward Piedmont Park. Supporters of Atlanta's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community lined the streets along the parade route, cheering on parade floats and sponsors.

The Pride Festival Parade is the culminating event of the annual Atlanta Pride Festival. This year marked the 41st year that the Pride Festival was held in Atlanta.

"The main purpose of the APC is to provide lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender persons and to promote a positive image in the Atlanta area and throughout the Southeastern United States through community activities and services,"AtlantaPride.org said.

Festival organizers said there was "record-setting" attendance for Sunday's parade. But, neither organizers nor police were able to provide an official head count of participants and spectators.  Some estimates put attendance as high as 200,000 people.

11Alive provided exclusive, live streaming coverage of the Pride Festival Parade. The coverage was hosted by Evelyn Mims and Conn Jackson. Viewers of the parade had the opportunity to earn a special sticker on GetGlue for checking in to the event.