'Rainbow Rally in the Valley' Returns on July 21

Last year, the took everyone by surprise.

What started out as an idea by a few students, dubbed as Castro Valley Pride, morphed into a in just a few short weeks, drawing in nearly 250 supporters.

This year, they are focusing on their community, their families, LGBT civil rights issues and the continued push for equality.

Since February, the CV Pride team has worked tirelessly in making sure this year's event is bigger and better — growing from just four vendors to more than 40.

Attendance is expected to at least double, according to organizer Billy Bradford.

"I expect 500 to 1,000 people, but I’d be pleasantly surprised if it was more than that," Bradford said.

The event will be lined up with compelling speakers, entertaining performers, and food/beverage vendors.

Though there were some anti-gay protestors at the event last year, Bradford said he's not worried.

"It disappoints me that people have to take time to protest the fact that we’re alive. That we exist. That’s just ridiculous. It shouldn’t be this way.”

He added that unlike the Oakland and San Francisco Pride rallies and parades, this will be a family-friendly event.

“We think it’s important for our friends and neighbors to understand that our families are the same as theirs, and that we live right alongside them in Castro Valley and many other small East Bay communities," Bradford said. "We shop at the same stores, our kids go to the same schools, and we share the same visions and values that all small town Americans share.”

The event will be held on July 21 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Castro Valley High School

For more information, visit CV Pride's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/341939409188312/