The second St. Pete Pride was in 2003. It was an over cast day with storm could all around us. Just as the parade started it started to rain. Cancel the Parade? Absolutely not! Just as the parade turned onto Central Ave the rain stopped. Mark jumped out of our car, “H.R.H. Princess Priscilla” then with ‘ PRIDE WALKED’ down Central Ave.,  10 blocks on his STILTS!!!

 Fast forward to 2013. We were at the Stonewall kick off party at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts for the ST Pete Pride VIP Party.  2 people walked up to Mark & said, “We know you. You were our waiter at Hamburger Mary’s!” Mark smiled and said, “Yes, I was, Good to see you again.” Then they said, “It’s good to see you’re working at our Pride event tonight!” OMG Mark smiles and said, “Meet my better half of 35 years, Carrie. I’m not working here. We are the honored Grand Marshals of St. Pete Pride Parade this year.”

Then and….. YOU CAN NOT MAKE THIS UP!!!! A man reached out to shake our hands saying, “Mark & Carrie I read your ‘Dishing with Mark & Carrie’ column every week! It’s good to meet you!!!” He was the St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster who was at the VIP event!!! Carrie said, “WOW you read our column?”  The mayor nodded and responded, “Of course everybody reads it.”

 Tampa Bay issues on the new high speed ferry service, rapid transit train service for the area and GLBT issues were discussed as well of the economic impact that Pride brings to the city of St. Pete coffers.

 Mark then wanted to personally thank the mayor for hosting St. Pete Pride adding,” St Pete Pride brings millions to GaYBOR District & Tampa too!”