ABOVE: Sarasota Pride 2020. Photo by Ryan Williams-Jent.
SARASOTA | Sarasota Pride’s 31st annual celebration has been postponed until 2022 in response to Florida’s rise in COVID-19 cases.
Sarasota Pride, Inc., its organizing nonprofit, announced the decision Aug. 25. Its 2021 venture was originally scheduled for an October return, postponed from January.
“The Sarasota Pride board after careful consideration has made the decision to cancel ‘Pride in the Park’ for Saturday, October 23rd and reschedule to January 22, 2022,” Sarasota Pride President Cindy Barnes says.
“We hated to postpone,” she continues, “but our first priority is the safety and health of our Sarasota Pride attendees as well as our vendors, sponsors, performers, and volunteers and we felt that postponing the event for a few months was the best decision for all involved.”
Sarasota Pride’s last gathering was held Jan. 25, 2020 ahead of COVID-19 shutdowns. Traditionally held in October, the move marked a first in the celebration’s 30-year history.
Large crowds and more than 40 vendors filled Sarasota’s J.D. Hamel Park for event, where it’s now scheduled to return next year. You can view Watermark’s photos here.
“We are looking forward to seeing you all in a few months during cooler weather!” the board also shared via social media.
For more information about Sarasota Pride, visit SarasotaPride.org.
