ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – A Friday night concert featuring recording artist Deborah Cox kicked off St. Petersburg’s annual Pride weekend.
Hundreds attended the concert along Central Avenue.
“I’m having a wonderful time. I can’t stop dancing,” said one woman at the event.
It was Dylan Boniface’s first time attending the festivities.
“I mean you can tell everyone out here is just so happy and they’re just like glad to be here and be alive. I mean, I’m a part of this community, so I’m out supporting my own people,” he said.
Many are smiling, but not without remembering those who lost their lives in the Pulse night club shooting nearly two weeks ago.
“First of all to be able to celebrate our Pride, but more than ever, to be able to stand up and let those people in Orlando, those poor families, know that we’re there and we want to celebrate life for them,” said Vickie Tanner.
She and her girlfriend Ginger have a close connection to the shooting.
” I have friends that did have those very near and dear to them that were killed,” said Tanner.
Law enforcement will be out in full force at every event this weekend. A sense of security for those celebrating life and love.
“Don’t be afraid because that’s really what they want. And if you stand tall, they don’t have a way to break in,” said Tanner.
