PrideFest experienced tremendous success before COVID-19 (A separate organization later took over running the parade.) That helped PrideFest end with a profit. The festival made changes in 2004 that helped it recover, including cutting back from three to two days (it later returned to a three-day schedule) and dropping the festival’s parade. The board was ultimately dissolved and Cream City Foundation took over. According to a Journal Sentinel article, the festival closed 2003 owing $150,000 to vendors and other investors. PrideFest experienced some financial hardships following the 2003 event. More: From Kendrick Lamar to Lil Wayne, Mötley Crüe to Maren Morris, these are the 20 top concerts in Milwaukee this summer PrideFest faced financial troubles in the early 2000s More: When and where the Milwaukee area's summer festivals and fairs are happening in 2022 The festival moved to Maier Festival Park in 1996. The entertainment offerings continued to expand and, in 1995, a fireworks show was added for the first time. took over in 1994 after the Milwaukee Gay/Lesbian Pride Committee dissolved. After the first PrideFest, the event shifted to June, aligning it with Pride Month.
