House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s sister smiled and waved to the ecstatic crowd as her purple Mustang inched down Market Street on Sunday, luxuriating in her role as grand marshal of the city’s gay pride parade.

“I’m having a great time,” Candace Gingrich said from the convertible. “It’s a chance that too many people only have one day a year--the chance to be out.”

Police estimated 400,000 people turned out for what is officially called the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Celebration.