Where might you expect to find the largest Pride celebration in Florida? You may be surprised to learn that it's not in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or even Orlando. Rather, Gay Pride St. Petersburg, known as "Pride in Paradise," throws the Sunshine State's biggest Pride event. What began with a modest tally of some 13,000 attendees in 2003 has blossomed into a major festival, now drawing in excess of 75,000 participants and spectators. St. Pete Pride takes place at the end of June (June 27, in 2009) and draws folks from throughout the St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay, and St. Pete Beaches region.
In St. Petersburg, Pride celebrations center around a handful of events throughout late June and culimating with a street festival and parade on Saturday. Here's a look at some of the key activities that made up St. Pete Pride in 2008. Details on St. Pete Pride 2009 will be posted here as they become available:
On Thursday, there's a Taste of Pride Reception gourmet dining event held at Nova 535 gallery at 535 Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Street North. The event takes place from 6:30 pm until 10 pm.
On Friday, comedy fans won't want to miss the Laughter in Paradise concert. It also takes place at Nova 535, and this year it's hosted by "Last Comic Standing" talent ANT and renowned stand-up comic Christine O'Leary. Doors open at 6, and the performances begin at 7:30. Later on Friday night, there's an "After Laughter" party at, also at Nova 535.
On Saturday morning, the popular St. Pete gay bar, Georgie's Alibi (you may know it from Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, where there are two other branches) is hosting the Georgie's Alibi Pride in Paradise Promenade at 10 am. This official St. Pete Pride parade begins right across from the bar, in the parking lot at 31st St. N and 3rd Ave. N. The parade proceeds toward the St. Pete Pride Festival.
Following the parade, the St. Pete Pride Street Festival takes place from 11 am until 4 pm. The festival, with nearly 300 vendors, food providers, and GLBT organizations, runs along Central Avenue between 21st and 28th streets. Then from 8 pm on, there's a Pride Party, Return to Babylon, held at Nova 535 including music by DJ Brianna from Pariament House, performances by singer Sean Ensign, appearances by adult film stars Matthew Rush of Falcon Films and Michael Lucas, and performances by the Babylon Dancers.
And there's an "all-girl party" the same night, Rock Loud Rock Proud, at 8 pm and featuring a concert by BETTY (of the L Word soundtrack), along with local guest Some Day Souvenir. This party is presented by Twirl Girl Promotions
and takes place at The Coliseum (535 4th Ave. N) in downtown St. Pete.
Finally, on Sunday, you can recover from all this fun at D-Tox, an after-pride tea dance held again at Nova 535 and featuring headliner Nancy Rancourt and several area DJs. It's an all-day affair, running from 2 pm until midnight.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check local gay papers, such as Watermark and the Gazette Tampa Bay for details. Also, Watermark produces an official "Pride in Paradise" St. Pete Pride guide, which you can download here.
Shop for the best hotel deals in St. Petersburg during Gay Pride.
