Great Falls to Host Big Sky Pride Celebration This Weekend

Organizers were expecting more than 1,500 people to attend the Big Sky Pride celebration in Great Falls this weekend.

But following last weekend's mass shooting at a gay bar in Orlando that left 50 people dead, including the gunman, and injured 53 more, Big Sky Pride President Kev Hamm of Helena says he hopes the event that starts Friday afternoon will draw a much larger crowd.

Close to 5,000 people attended last year's parade in Missoula.

The weekend celebration includes meals, entertainment and dancing, along with a bike ride, parade and rally on Saturday. It is open to all members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and their supporters.

Reported by the Associated Press.