Only days after announcing the cancellation of the second annual Aurora Pride Festival and parade, organizers said Monday they are continuing their efforts to find funds to save the event planned in June.

Chuck Adams of Indivisible Aurora, which organizes the celebration, said supporters are seeking an additional $17,000 they need to cover costs, including public safety, for the parade. For last year’s inaugural parade, the city paid for public safety, Adams said.

But a new city ordinance changed that policy for the parade and other events that need public safety. Adams said that meant the cost of the parade went up four times what it was last year.

“With just that increase to the parade, it made it unattainable for us financially,” he said.

Indivisible Aurora announced Friday it was canceling the festival and parade, scheduled for June 7 to 9. 

But Adams said support for the event in Illinois’ second-largest city remains strong, and organizers are still looking for public grants or other funds.

“It’s a good problem to have when people have such ownership even after just one year and consider it a critical and vital part of our cultural celebrations,” Adams said.

Even if it’s not able to raise money to salvage the festival and parade, Adams said Indivisible Aurora will find other ways to mark Pride Month in June.

Blair Paddock is a news intern for WBEZ. Follow them @blairpaddock.