Officials with Indivisible Aurorathe organization responsible for holding last year's successful Aurora Pridesaid that the 2019 parade was back on after an online fundraising effort raised nearly $20,000 to cover skyrocketing expenses.
"It seems that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, we'll be there June 9," said Indivisible Aurora Executive Director Chuck Adams.
Those expenses, which totaled about $17,000, covered security and other unexpected costs, nearly quadrupled last year's budget for the event. As such, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin announced its cancellation on April 16, after Indivisible Aurora said it could not meet the new costs.
But Adams mounted an online fundraiser that same day, saying that the group needed to raise the funds within a two-week window. As of April 21, the group had raised $20,920, more than meeting the new costs.
Organizers won't be able to include a few hoped-for events in the weekend-long festivities, among them a vendors' market and a 5K run, but there should be enough money to cover a June 8 speakers' series, Adams said.
Adams added that he appreciated not just the community's financial help, but the "passion and intensity" of feedback in support of the event.
"We're glad to be going back to talking about holding a parade, and not just talking about why we're not holding a parade," he said.