A great crowd went to the Bert Smith BMW car dealership to find out who was going to be this years 2013 St Pete Pride Promenade Grand Marshals set for Saturday, June 29th in St. Pete. This is the largest Gay Pride event in Florida and the line up for Grand Marshals was fierce. The food furnished by Orange Blossom Caters was delish! The conversations with friends was “Dishy.”
This year the St Pete Pride group headed by newly appointed Executive Director, Eric Skains set up a friendly voting competition in 3 categories; Female, Male and Organizations.
Dishing’s Mark & Carrie just want to Thank all those who voted for us as the St Pete Pride Male Grand Marshal winners. Others included Michael Keeffe and Steve Blanchard of Watermark.
Women Nominees were TIGLFF’s Renee Cossette, Sharon Herman and winning vote count went to Susan McGrath.
Organization nominees were AIDS Service Association of Pinellas, PFLAG of Tampa and winner was Metro Wellness and Community Centers.
Carrie remarked and recalled to the audience the beginnings and formation of St Pete Pride.
” A meeting was set up to have Tampa Pride leaders talk to St. Pete business leaders in March to help in a financial crisis and was held at Grand Central Station on Central Ave. About 20 people were there to hear a proposal. Along with us, Mark & Carrie was Judy B. Goode, Kris & Jim from Grand Central, Dan Fiorini, Brian Longstreth and brother Jim, owners of Pig Boy Leather, Balls of Steel, Mgr Glenn & Joan from Suncoast Resort, Ed Gonzalez from Georgie’s Alibi, Carl Kuttler III, Jay Allar & Chip plus a few others.”
It was decided that St. Pete GLBT leaders could start there own Pride since a lot of the Tampa Bay GLBT momentum was now in St. Pete.
Wow that was just 11 years ago with an all volunteer staff! 18,000 first witnessed a Promenade Event down Central Ave that year. Now look, what has positively happened! Over 120,00 attendees and “Voted one of the Best Pride” events in the United States!
