Parade goers showed up early for this year’s Pride parade in St. Petersburg.
- Parade attracts 4,500 marchers
- Law enforcement out in force to ensure security
Combined with a block party, the parade attracted 150 businesses and organizations, 4,500 marchers and tens of thousands of supporters to St. Petersburg’s eclectic Grand Central District.
Lesa Weikel of Clearwater and Victoria Perro of Palm Harbor brought recycled flowers representing the colors of life and pride to show their support and celebrate St. Pete Pride. "In the wake of Orlando, we have to live!" said Weikel. (Viriginia Johnson, staff)
Food and souvenir vendors lined the streets starting at 4 p.m., and by 6 p.m. music and dancing had filled the streets. The parade itself got underway at dusk.
For participants like Jessica Palmer and Alan Elmiger, the celebrations were welcome — especially in the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
“We came to support equal rights,” said Palmer, “and to support the victims of the Orlando shooting.”
Both Palmer and Elmiger will be participating in the parade as representatives for their employer, Boulevard Burgers and Taphouse. But following the terrorist attack at Pulse nightclub on June 12, they admit to being apprehensive.
“There’s so many under cover [police officers],” said Elmiger.
“I feel safe,” added Palmer. “You can’t live in a bubble for the rest of your life. You have to support what you want.”
Law enforcement has a significant and visible presence out in downtown St. Petersburg as marchers and supporters converge on the Grand Central district for St. Pete Pride. (Chay Baxley, staff)