ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As the City of St. Pete prepares for one of its biggest annual events, officials say one of their top concerns this year is the heat.

According to Spectrum Bay News 9 weather expert Juli Marquez, the high on Saturday could top out at 94 degrees in downtown St. Pete with heat index values between 100-104 in the afternoon.

What You Need To Know

  • Learn more about St. Pete Pride

  • Uniformed and plain clothed police officers will be out in full force throughout downtown St. Pete

  • The parade runs along the waterfront from Al Lang Park to The Vinoy 

  • St. Pete Fire Rescue will have additional first responders, ambulances on hand for heat-related issues 

  • MORE: St. Pete Police prep for pride festival

St. Pete Pride says the celebration is the largest Pride gathering in the southeast and they are expecting roughly 200,000 people to attend Saturday’s parade. Capt. Garth Swingle with St. Pete Fire Rescue says one of their top concerns this year is heat-related illnesses.

In preparation, they plan to have more medics and first responders stationed in downtown than in previous years. St. Pete Fire Rescue will also have medical tents, cooling stations, and ambulances on stand by.

Gabe Alves with St. Pete Pride says their organization has also been working on ways to keep the event both inclusive and safe. Alves says while water will be available for purchase in different spots on the parade route, if anyone is in need of water or help they just need to flag down a staff member.

 

In addition, there will be an area in South Straub Park for seniors to sit down out of the direct sun and a quiet area for those who need a break from the stimulation.

 

“It’s hard, but we’re really trying to make sure that we’re taking care of people and creating a space where people can go and take a little break,” Alves said.

While Alves says St. Pete Pride has seen a bit of decease in donations, he says the support coming from the St. Pete community has been strong.

“People need to have a choice on what they’re going to do and we can’t be forcing everybody to put a flag on their business,” Alves said. “For me personally, I want to focus on the people who do put out the flags and get to know them better, instead of focusing on the people who don’t.”

The gates to the parade and outdoor festival open at 2 p.m., Saturday. The St. Pete Pride Trans March beings at 5:30 p.m. and the parade begins at 6 p.m. and will run along Bayshore Drive NE, from Al Lang Stadium to the Vinoy Hotel.