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Huntington Gay Pride Parade Canceled, Festival Still On

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A gay pride parade that has been held in Huntington since 1991 has been put on hiatus over security concerns.

David Kilmnick, head of the LGBT Network -- which runs the event, said all of the security and other resources will be focused on the festival that typically coincides with the parade because it attracts larger crowds.

"We have taken measures over the last four years that we have been running the event to make sure that every single person is safe on the sidewalk, inside the park, no matter where they are in the Village of Huntington," Kilmnick told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.

Organizers are rethinking how the event is planned.

"We have to evolve, just like our world is evolving, and that includes how we plan the event," Kilmnick said. "It has to do with making sure that where 99 percent of the people are going is safe and secure."

Kilmnick said in recent years the parade has received death threats.

"Making sure that everyone is safe and secure is our job, and we're doing that, and we've been doing it since we've received these threats years ago and we're going to continue doing it," Kilmnick said.

PrideFest will be held in Hecksher State Park from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 11.

The festival will feature live performances by 10,000 Maniacs, Black Box, France Joli, Rockell, and Maxine Nightingale.

For more information, visit lgbtnetwork.org/pride.

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