TAMPA, Fla. — To celebrate Tampa Pride’s 10th year, the organization’s president, Carrie West, says he wants to make this the most energized festival and parade yet.

Schedule of Tampa Pride events 

With new flags to commemorate the 10-year milestone, as well as tents, custom water bottles and team jackets, West says Tampa Pride is known across the country as being one of the most fun pride celebrations in the nation.

“This is all about working in a network that’s the community and just saying how great the Tampa Bay area is,” West said.

This is Tampa Pride’s first big event back since the organization canceled Pride on the River, a boat parade and festival held in the fall on the Hillsborough River and nearby riverwalk.

West cited the political climate as the reason for the cancellation and the passage of the Protection of Children Act that banned admitting children to adult performances like drag shows.

“I knew we had to have everything covered up and we couldn’t cover everything up when you’re walking down the beautiful riverwalk of Tampa,” West said. “We said let’s cancel that event because we were also threatened that they would take away our alcohol permit for our main event, which is in the spring.”

During Tampa Pride this weekend, West says drag performances will be out of public view and in designated 18+ areas.

One of the biggest challenges as Tampa Pride approached its 10-year anniversary celebration was financial support and sponsorships, West said.

“Some of the organizations that make record money this whole week, they just don’t do it. They just say we just don’t get much out of it,” West explained. “We lost out on some of the major grocers in the state … they had to pull.”

Tampa Pride has topped more than 100,000 visitors in previous years, this year West expects to see 90,000 people at the event but says it could be more.

The festival begins at 11 a.m. followed by the parade on 7th Avenue in Ybor City at 4 p.m. After that, different Pride at Night activities will take place.