AUGUSTA, Ga () – Saturday morning saw a large turnout downtown for one of the most eagerly awaited local events: the annual PRIDE parade.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the festival has drawn people consistently over the years. Marc Trimm, who serves as Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Our Redeemer, has attended the parade for the past 12 years.

“The energy is always palpable, and I feel it has grown stronger in recent years as more people embrace their true selves and celebrate life. That’s truly our purpose here,” expressed Trimm.

The parade featured dozens of organizations coming together for the community.

“As I was talking today, I was just looking at each face as I passed, I was thinking that’s a life, that’s a person, they’re giving their energy towards people they don’t know saying ‘we support you, we love you, we have life to live and we have excitement to lend to you’ and that’s what community’s about,” said Trimm.

I spoke with another long time attendee, Tammie Gilds, who says she looks forward to celebrating at the Augusta Common.

She tells me she gets excited seeing who is in the festival every year and would never miss it.

“I have a ball, I come out here to support everybody, lesbian, gays, whatever, I don’t discriminate. I come and have a good time; they treat us very well. We have a good time with the performance; I just love it,” said Gilds.

Officials say they plan on continuing the parade and festival for years to come.