Mothers and fathers escorted carefully-coiffed kids, mostly aged 7 to 12, through the fracas as about 60 demonstrators squared off. High-decibel activists on both sides came ready for a fight, wearing helmets, masks and goggles with some clutching Plexiglas shields.

Denver police kept the peace. Seven parked cruisers and armed officers with pepper spray held ground between opposing factions for more than two hours, until demonstrators left as the three-hour show began on a stage in the Mile High Comics store in northwestern Denver. Sgt. Chris Archuleta said no arrests were made.

This was the seventh "Drag For All Ages" show in the Mile High Comics building, an industrial warehouse located near the Quigg Newton Homes housing complex. Each month, the demonstrations have intensified.

A barrier fence, decorated with U.S. flags and rainbow banners, wrapped the base of the building. A band played inside the fence, drowned by demonstrators yelling through bullhorns, waving signs — "Shut it down, child drag is child abuse" — and simulated police sirens.