That year, she performed mass marriages in a city park when gay marriage became legal.įirst responders to the Pulse nightclub massacre in 2016 will appear at the front of the parade, as will a 100-foot rainbow flag. Hillsborough County Clerk Pat Frank will be recognized as a community supporter for her work in 2015. Representing the Tampa Bay Pride Band is artistic director David Triplett-Rosa. Multiple grand marshals include drag entertainer Amy DeMilo, community activists Nicholas Staszak and Tyler Reed, City Side Lounge owner Jim Encke and 'Battle of the Houses' winner Ja'Sraria Infiniti. Jane Castor is a past grand marshal of the parade, and David Straz is a longtime supporter who is sponsoring one of the high school bands in the parade. That includes appearances from Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who embraced the event each year and walked the parade tossing beads, to current mayoral candidates.
According to West, Tampa is on its way to reclaiming the crown as one of the biggest Pride demonstrations in the state.Ī big part of the parade this year, West said, are community tributes to acknowledge how it got here. Last year drew about 40,000, he said, and organizers estimate 45,000 to 50,000 will arrive Saturday.
