BELLEVILLE -- The Metro East Pride Festival returned to Belleville bigger than before, and festival goers said Saturday that speaks to progress in tolerating diversity in the metro-east.

"The growth is the acceptance of the gay, lesbian and transgender community in the metro-east area," said Chance Baker, an event coordinator. "Last year was a trial run for us. This year, I believe we've shown that we can do this."

In its second year, the Metro East Pride Festival in downtown Belleville included booths, food, crafts and entertainment. Metro East Pride, a community-based, non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating diversity, equality and tolerance in the metro-east, hosted the annual event.

Baker said the festival has grown significantly since its debut last year. He said not only did the event double in size physically, spanning two blocks instead of one, but it also grew in terms of the community's interest.

He said examples of that growth include the number of vendors increasing from 15 last year to 65 this year; attendance figures surpassing last year's estimated total with more than 1,000 halfway into this year's event; and the ability to book a headliner performance by Lea DeLaria, a Belleville native and gay entertainer who has won accolades worldwide for her performances as a jazz singer, comedienne and actress.

Baker said the festival's growth is a good thing because the event can do an even better job of serving as an outreach and a safe haven for the metro-east's gay community.

"I just saw two men walk down the street hand in hand," Baker said. "That just wouldn't happen here on a normal day."

Em Nosce, of Alton, and Laura Bruce, of O'Fallon, both members of Southern Illinois University's Gay-Straight Alliance club who were attending the festival for the first time, said it was good to see such a turnout at a gay pride event on the Illinois side of the river.

"I think it's amazing because St. Louis has everything but we needed something on our side," Nosce said.

"People that I didn't think would be supportive are out here," Bruce said. "It makes me feel like they're a little bit more open-minded."

Ken White, of St. Louis, was attending the festival after hearing about it from friends who work at Club Escapade in downtown Belleville.

"I think it is amazing that a city as small as Belleville is so accepting of this event," White said. "It's a step in the right direction."