COLUMBUS (WCMH) – There was a lot to celebrate, but also a lot to mourn at this year’s Columbus Pride. Organizers say it was the most accepting yet.

“You are part of making history today. Thank you so much for being here,” says Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther. Let’s make it a great weekend for freedom and equality!”

The saying “love wins” was played out everywhere at the Pride celebration. Even Brutus Buckeye and Rufus Bobcat hugged it out.

Our community is a very accepting community,” says Columbus resident Dawn Gill.

Gill says this year is especially important and the biggest one yet. It’s the first Pride celebrating marriage equality and many came to honor those who died in Orlando.

“There’s a lot of support,” she says. “There’s a lot of family, there’s a lot of friends. This is a gay friendly community.”

Ninety-year-old Marge Farnham cheered along the parade route, all to support her daughter.

“I love coming here because my daughter belongs to a wonderful group of girls and they always have a good time and I’m always invited to it,” she says.

Her daughter Margie says sometimes people leave the parade line and ask to hug her mother. Yet another example that “love wins”.

“She was kind of surprised by that and I said you know why they’re doing that because their family members may not be standing here with them and that’s how important this is,” she says. “It was very emotional for me and it still is today because we’ve come a long way. We’ve come a long way. I’m very, very blessed and happy that she’s with me.”

Organizers say this way the was the largest Columbus Pride yet, with more than half a million people.What others are clic