TAMPA | The second annual Pride on the River will be held Sept. 24 from 1-9 p.m. along the Tampa Riverwalk, officially launching Tampa Pride’s 2023 season.
Organizers estimate several thousand people attended 2021’s inaugural event, which paved the way for the eighth annual Tampa Pride in Ybor last March. They hope to build on the momentum of each celebration with Pride on the River’s return.
“This is another huge event we’re bringing to Tampa,” Tampa Pride Vice President Emeritus Mark Eary says. He’s served as a co-director of Tampa Pride’s Diversity Parade since its inception and this became Pride on the River’s co-director.
“We don’t do too many things over here except for our main event in March,” Eary explains. “This is our way of doing something else in Tampa, and it’s really a big deal.”
Festivities begin at 1 p.m. with a Drag Brunch at Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel. The venue promises “easy access to downtown attractions and waterfront views that linger with you long after you leave.”
Tampa Bay entertainer Brianna Summers hosts, joined by Angelique Young-Cavalier, former Miss Tampa Pride Jade Embers and Sadie T. Elise. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Brunch is $32 per person with additional fees and a cash bar will be available. The buffet will be open from 1-3 p.m. and a Diversity Boat Parade viewing party will follow until 4:30 p.m.
The boat parade will kick off in the Hillsborough River’s Garrison Channel, located between Tampa Marriott Water Street and Harbour Island. It ends at Armature Works in what Tampa Pride bills as “a ride filled with love, pride and fun.”
Entries are $50-75 and will be accepted until Sept. 23. Tampa Pride also announced Sept. 7 that an anonymous benefactor had donated the cost of entry for all Tampa nonprofits; interested parties need only contact Tampa Pride Vice President of Operations Paul Sparks to obtain a code for purchase on their website.
The riverside celebration at Armature Works, where Pridegoers can watch the boats come in, is free and open to the public 3-9 p.m. It will once again feature an afternoon of music, performances and family fun on the space’s pier. Live music, drag queens, stilt walkers, bands, aerialists and others will feature.
This year’s entertainment includes DJs RYZN, Marisol Musick and Maestro H.B., the Tampa Bay Pride Band, The Actual Bank Robbers and Pepper MaShay. The newly crowned Miss Tampa Pride 2023 Hazel E. Genevieve will also perform, joined by Te Monet and Kahtya Tehnsion who placed Tampa Pride’s Sept. 3 pageant.
Additional drag entertainment will be provided by Imani Valentino, Cortez Blu, Brianna Summers, Sadie T. Elise, Angelique Young-Cavalier, Sky Lemay, Kimberly Embers and Diana Summers Ransome. Former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestants Jiggly Caliente and Ra’Jah O’Hara headline.
Access to Pride on the River’s Diamond Lounge – which raises funds for future endeavors – will be available for $60 per person. Tickets include a coveted view of the main stage, meet and greets and a photo with each “Drag Race” alum, a cooling area, cash bar and a front row to the fireworks. They close the festivities beginning at 8:15 p.m.
View a full schedule of activities below:
“This all goes toward Tampa Pride in March,” Eary says. “This is a fundraiser and there’s going to be something for everyone to love.”
Pride on the River will be held Sept. 24 from 1-9 p.m. The drag brunch is located at the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel at 200 N. Ashley Dr. in and the festival takes place at Armature Works, located at 1910 N. Ola Ave. Learn more at PrideOnTheRiver.org.
