According to the San Diego Police Department, last weekend’s 29th annual San Diego Pride parade drew an estimated 140,000 people, including a colorful and celebratory array of spectators and participants.

Pride organizers say that between the parade and festival there were no arrests.

“It was another great event,” said Suanne Pauley, executive director of San Diego Pride. “The early start-time for the parade proved successful and the new additions to the festival were a big success, such as the Art of Pride exhibit, which attracted 30-plus artists from around the region.”

Pauley also noted, “We were happy to see more same-sex families and youth visit the festival this year. The demographics reflect our changing community.” Additionally, a record number of volunteers came on board throughout the weekend, totaling more than 1,000.

At the festival on Sunday, 28 couples signed up for domestic partnership benefits with the assistance of The Center’s public policy department. And on the same day, nearly 40 couples took part in a mass commitment ceremony, officiated by MCC and Dignity of San Diego.

As of press time, various organizations had raised funds for the community during Pride, including the Big Grrrrr Ranch, a sports organization that grossed $5,500 in water sales, and Numbers bar, which donated $15,000 to the Hillcrest Youth Center, AIDS Walk, the Toni Atkins Lesbian Health Fund, Bienestar and Something Special Food Pantry.

In lieu of having a float this year, Numbers decided to use the money they saved to give back to the community. Instead of a float, Numbers staff rode in a limo during the parade, with a banner on the side explaining the donations.

“For me, Pride is about the community and we felt that we wanted to do something positive for the community this year,” said Numbers manager Richard Britton. “We chose some of the charities we felt were representative of our community here in San Diego.

Parade participation also broke previous records, with 225 units marching past a panel of judges comprised by members of the community.

This year’s categories and winners were: Azaela Park for the Most Original Float; San Diego Youth & Community Services for the Most Outrageous and Creative Unit; the UCSD Resource Center for the Best Use of the 2003 Theme; the Pacific Beach United Methodist Church for the Best Commercial Float; ROTC for the Best Display by an Out-of-Town Unit; The Center for the Best Community Organization Unit; The Yankee Freedom Band for the Most Outrageous and Creative Marching Contingent; and the New Creation United Church of Christ for the PFLAG Award (selected by PFLAG members).