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St. Pete Pride kicks off for the weekend
Briona Arradondo reports
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - St. Pete Pride kicks off this weekend with a full lineup of events and star-studded performances.
"It is a time of celebration. We need this time of celebration, and we are ready to bring in the community to celebrate with us," said Immani Love, the entertainment chair of the St. Pete Pride Board. "It gives us an opportunity to express ourselves authentically. In the climate that we’re in right now, we need this more than ever. Being our authentic selves is a necessity for us, and it’s something that we have to embrace and celebrate every chance we get."
To keep everyone safe, the St. Pete Police Department will have barricades up and detectives out and about.
"We’re monitoring all the social media groups that we can monitor, and we’re talking to people out there. So we haven’t seen really any threats. But not to say there couldn’t be a threat because you know anytime we have that many people together anything can happen," said St. Pete Police Chief Anthony Holloway.
Organizers said pride can’t be stopped, and its energy was already making an impact Friday.
"It’s very different here versus Daytona. Like here I feel welcome. I feel like I’m not afraid to be who I am here. Whereas Daytona is very different. I can’t wear trans socks and feel safe," said Finley Bartholomew, a Daytona Beach resident who attend St. Pete Pride’s Friday Night Concert with their partner. "I can’t walk around Publix holding her hand and feel safe, so it’s nice being here and feeling welcome and feeling safe."
St. Pete Pride got started Friday night with a concert by Broadway and Disney star Idina Menzel at Jannus Live. Saturday’s parade will follow a reverse route from previous years, starting at Albert Whitted Airport and heading north along Bayshore before ending at the Vinoy.
Entertainment runs from 2-10 p.m. on two downtown stages located at 600 Bayshore Dr. in Vinoy Park and at North Straub and Vinoy Parks.
Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, a popular star on "RuPaul’s Drag Race" and headliner Meet Me At The Altar will be among the long list of performances.
READ: Drag performances still planned for St. Petersburg Pride Parade, organizers say
A transgender march starts at 5:30 p.m. ahead of the main parade, which begins at 6 p.m. Click here for parade zone maps and a lineup of entertainment.
Organizers are expecting a crowd of more than 100,000 attendees.
On Sunday, the Central Ave. block party will bring thousands of all ages to the Grand Central District for a massive street party with vendors, food, carnival games, street performers, and hundreds of participating businesses.
Grammy winner Sheena Easton and 1980s queen Tiffany will also be performing.