Thirteen years ago, a small number of community leaders gathered in a bar and decided St. Petersburg was ready to celebrate its LGBT community. Today, the city boasts the largest LGBT Pride celebration south of Atlanta. Many may view 13 as an unlucky number, but for St. Pete Pride it could be the best number yet.
The annual festival celebrating Tampa Bay’s LGBT community returns to St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District for its 13th anniversary June 24-28 and includes a fashion show, VIP reception, an outdoor concert, the return of the highly successful night parade and the outdoor vendor fair.
The lineup may seem familiar, but there are plenty of changes for the 2015 celebration.
The Stonewall Reception returns to the Museum of Fine Arts along St. Petersburg’s waterfront on Wednesday, June 24, at 7 p.m. In years’ past the VIP ticketed reception was held on Thursday, so make note of the change in the day.
The reason for the change is likely to accommodate the revamp of Pride in Fashion, which goes back to the Macy’s Department store within Tyrone Square Mall on Thursday, June 25, at 6 p.m. In 2014 the two events were combined, which packed the museum to capacity. Separating the two and shifting the fashion show, featuring Ross Matthews, back to the store should make room for even more attendees.
This year’s 27/82 concert- titled after the longitude and latitude of the city-features Alex Newell, who played the transgender character Unique in the wildly popular FOX series Glee. (See our interview with the star in this issue). While the concert isn’t new, its location is when it returns Friday, June 26. Rather than being inside a concert venue, it will be outside on the corner of Central Avenue and 26th Street. While the concert is free, donations for Pride will be accepted. The change is based on feedback from the community, according to organizers.
The second night parade on Saturday, June 27, is expected to be bigger and better than last year for a number of reasons, but mostly because participants have a year of preparation under their belts. Nuances like lighting techniques and navigating a dark route now have a learning curve attached. So expect larger and brighter floats with a smoother flow. The festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with pre-parade festivities, but the floats won’t start to roll until dusk. As with years’ past, the route begins across from Georgie’s Alibi, winds through Kenwood and then shoots down Central Avenue toward downtown St. Pete between 30th St. N. and 21st St. N.
If that’s not enough to keep you celebrating, come back to the Grand Central District for the annual vendor fair. Eric Skains, executive director of St. Pete Pride, announced that the festival has been extended an entire city block to accommodate the high demand of participants this year. The scheduling also gives those who attend (and work the booths) time to recover from the night parade. The festival begins at 11 a.m. and wraps at 6 p.m.
Of course, representatives of Pride, including this year’s grand marshals, also featured in this expanded issue of Watermark, will be at all of the events.
Thirteen years is a long time, but as St. Pete Pride has proven, things really do get better with age.
Schedule for the week of St Pete Pride:
Stonewall Reception
Wednesday, June 24, 7-9 P.M.
Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
What started out as an event for friends who enjoy the arts has turned into the must attend reception during the week of Pride. Gather at the Museum of Fine Arts in St Petersburg to launch Pride Weekend. The event, hosted and sponsored by the Museum of Fine Arts, will feature an open full bar and light hors d’voeuvres.
Pride in Fashion
Thursday, June 25, 6-8 P.M.
Macy’s Tyrone Square, St. Petersburg
Macy’s Tyrone Square Mall presents “Pride in Fashion” hosted by E! Network personality and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge, Ross Mathews. Join Matthews for photo ops, live music, a fashion show and refreshments provided by Quench Lounge. Every $10 donation made to Pride at this event will recieve a matched $10 Macy’s gift card.
Friday, June 26, 7 P.M.
26th and Central Ave., St. Petersburg
This year’s benefit concert promises to be more unique than ever as Alex Newell from Glee will make history headlining the first free and outdoor “27/82” Concert in the private lot at the corner of Central Avenue and 26th Street in St Petersburg. A mix of various bands and local singers will warm up the crowd. The concert is being presented by St Pete Pride and Sarasota Pride, and the proceeds will go to the St Pete Pride Community Grants Program.
Saturday, June 27, 5-10 P.M.
22nd St.-27th St. along Central Ave., St. Petersburg
The LGBT Pride Parade, held within the Historic Kenwood Neighborhood and Grand Central District, features more than 150 organizations and businesses supporting and celebrating the Tampa Bay LGBT community. 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.
Sunday, June 28, 11 A.M.-6 P.M.
22nd St.-27th St. along Central Ave., St. Petersburg
The St Pete Pride Street Festival will again be the largest community event of the season as festival goers come for live performances and entertainment. 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.
