In what has quickly become a favorite tradition of Pride weekend, Atlanta Pride Committee hosted thousands of local gay partiers during its annual kickoff bash on Friday at Georgia Aquarium.

Adjacent to the VIP Party (view photos) for Pride donors and dignitaries, thousands of paying revelers enjoyed open bars in every corner and performers while the permanent aquatic residents of the aquarium looked on. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Morgan McMichaels, local gay DJs Vicki Powell and Chris Griswold, and more entertained the masses and drowned out all of that PETA noise. 

Photos by Sher Pruitt