OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The 26th Capital City Pride festival in Olympia could be the biggest.
Following Sunday’s Orlando nightclub shooting, organizers in Olympia are expecting a larger than usual crowd.
More than 15,000 people are predicted to attend throughout the weekend.
The shooting has also prompted Olympia Police to add additional officers to Sunday’s parade route.
“It’s difficult to have a celebration and have a tragedy occur at the same time,” said Phil Rollins, owner of Archibald Sisters, a fragrance and gift shop in downtown Olympia.
Rollins, who is gay, has been a sponsor of Olympia’s pride celebration since it started in 1991. He remembers when some in the community did not support the pride event.
He said that has changed over the years, and he hopes the Orlando shooting helps bring the community together.
“It’s on everyone’s mind,” said Rollins, “Sometimes some things don’t change, but working together it will change, in my mind.”
Capital City Pride starts Friday night and runs through Sunday.
For details, go to the Capital City Pride website.
