Hillsborough County residents will finally have a Pride event to call their own. Pride on 7th will bring its rainbow colors to Tampa on Saturday, Aug. 28, with an all-day event featuring vendor booths, entertainers and special guest speakers, including area politicians.
“This is an idea that has been swimming around in my head for quite awhile,” said organizer Jorge Alvarado, who is affiliated with the Umbrella Management Group. “For the past several years, while watching other communities grow and Tampa not having a Pride event, I thought now was the right time to do that. This is the opportunity to try to create Tampa’s own unique Pride experience.”
Tampa has had LGBT Pride events in the past—first in the 1990s and then Winter Pride Tampa Bay, which dissolved after three years in the mid 2000s.
Pride on 7th will be different than most Pride experiences, according to Alvarado.
“I’m really focusing on creating a community event that’s welcome to all of our subcultures and communities,” Alvarado said. “Everyone’s family is different and I wanted to create a platform for our community members to share their talents.”
The family-friendly Pride On 7th will begin at 8 a.m. with Pride River Walk followed by a vendor expo from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Trolly Barn at the intersection of N. Ola Ave. and 7th Avenue. Scheduled speakers include Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner and Commission candidate Linda Saul-Sena.
“The political support we’ve received has been amazing,” Alvarado said. “Plus our sponsors and volunteers are really stepping up.”
Alvarado said he expects between 3,000 and 5,000 attendees at the inaugural Pride on 7th. A $10 donation is requested at the door and money raised will be dispersed equally among Metro Wellness and Community Centers, the GaYbor District Coalition and Equality Florida.
