LeClaire Park was lined with vendors and food, and the music rocked for blocks as the second annual Quad Cities Fall Pride Fest filled the riverfront.

The festival is designed to bring together everyone is a supportive and fun setting.

“You know, I’ve had teenagers come up to me and say I’ve wanted to kill myself before I found out something like this existed,” said festival organizer Andrew Glassock. “Where they can come and meet friends and build their own LGBT family.”

They also say the Midwest is a great place to be when it comes to acceptance and diversity.

” I will tell you one of my favorite parts about the Midwest and Iowa and the Quad Cities area is how warm and inviting the people are,” said EGS Service Delivery Manager Chad Rose. EGS was one of the main sponsors of the festival.  “This type of event just showcases that.”

Along with the entertainment, games, vendors and food, the festival held the Fall Pride Pageant. Jay Lewis, the new Mr. Quad Cities, is still lost for words. 

“Everything [is my favorite]. Last night was probably my favorite part. Seeing all the little kids come up to me and say that I’m their idol and their hero, it’s just a great honor.”

Organizers say that Friday night of the festival was about double the crowd from 2015, and was hoping to see the same crowd Saturday. The festival finished around midnight.