14th Annual St. Pete Pride
Around 15 years ago, Tampa Pride was forced to stop. St. Pete Pride was born. Of course, two years ago Pride returned to Tampa with an incredible turnout, but years of attention for St. Pete Pride has caused it to grown into one of the largest Pride events in Florida, and one of the top ten largest in the entire country! St. Pete Pride presents so many events we can't cover them all here, but we will focus on the weekend's major events.
On Friday, June 24 from 7-11 pm they are featuring the SP2 Concert which is a fundraising event to assist in funding various Tampa Bay community organizations. This year's concert features the legendary Deborah Cox as the headliner, but will also feature DJ L-Mo, Karmic Tattoo and Jennifer Real. SP2 concert will feature various bands and local singers who will warm up the crowd as attendees cool down with their choice of Bud Lite and Absolut Vodka beverages. Beverage sales benefit the St Pete Pride Community Grants Program. The event takes place at 26th and Central and is FREE (Donations accepted), but they are selling $20 Pit Passes which allows you to view the concert directly in front of the Wells Fargo Stage.
On Saturday, June 25 from 5-11 pm St Pete Pride is featuring the LGBT Pride Parade. The Saturday Block Party begins at 5:00 p.m., held between 22nd Street and 27th Street along Central Avenue, featuring DJs, food and beverages. The Parade will roll off at Sunset. The LGBT Pride Parade, held within the Historic Kenwood Neighborhood and Grand Central District, features more than 150 organizations and businesses and over 4,500 marchers supporting and celebrating the Tampa Bay LGBT community. The Parade draws more than 200,000 people in total, making it the large LGBT Pride Parade in Florida and largest overall in St Petersburg. The event is free and open to the public, but Bleacher seating is available in The Glamstands.
On Sunday, June 26 from 11 am to 6 pm is the St Pete Pride Festival. The parade is expected to draw more than 50,000 people when it returns to Central Avenue in the Grand Central District. Organizers promise that it will be larger, livelier and bolder than ever! The St Pete Pride Street Festival will again be the largest community event of the season as festival goers come together to make history while enjoying a day of live performances and entertainment, community booths, art and fantastic food in paradise.
After last year's overwhelming demand, the Festival length has been extended by an entire city block, and the St Pete Pride Street Festival will be more diverse and shop-stopping than ever. Over 350 exhibitors will line both sides of Central Avenue for six city blocks in a rainbow celebration of food and beverage vendors, artists, small businesses, corporations, professional sports teams, community outreach groups, non-profit organizations and Pride themed merchandisers.
According to their mission statement, the purpose of St. Pete Pride is to promote unity, visibility, self-esteem and a positive image of and among the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community of Tampa Bay and throughout the State of Florida by way of cultural and educational programs and Activities
For more information about St Pete Pride or to purchase seating at the concert or the parade visit: StPetePride.com
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