The Second Annual North Pinellas Pride celebration is offering attendees a few changes this year”and organizers are hopeful they will be well received.
“The goal of North Pinellas Pride is to be a year-long organization that can do a lot of good for different groups,” said pride committee secretary and treasurer George Algozzina.
That's why this year's North Pinellas Pride celebration covers several weeks”beginning with a Miss North Pinellas Pride Pageant at Blur Nightclub on Sunday, Oct. 9. Other events include a National Coming Out Day symposium on Oct. 11 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and a street festival on Sunday, Oct. 23.
“We're expecting to have big events and spreading it out gets us and the community ready for us to be a year-round organization, not just a one time celebration,” Algozzina said.
The inaugural NPP in 2010 was held in June, just weeks before St. Pete Pride. The timing was difficult, Algozzina explained, and the committee didn't want to see as competition with the large event to its south.
“The feedback we got from last year's event was overwhelmingly positive,” said Randy Amiscaray, committee president. “The only gripe we heard was that our event was sandwiched between GayDays in Orlando and St. Pete Pride. With three weeks of pride events in a row, people got burned out.”
For this year's celebration, NPP was careful to avoid conflicting with the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, which runs Oct. 6-16.
“October works great because so many people are back in town and it's excellent weather for an outdoor event,” Amiscaray said. “We've also moved the festival to downtown Dunedin.”
The new location will give attendees a chance to explore the historic downtown area, visit shops and bring business into the progressive community. The merchant's association and the Mayor's office have both endorsed NPP's second year.
The street festival in Pioneer Park is 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and a worship service will be held at noon. Several musical groups are scheduled to play throughout the afternoon, including the popular trio Karmic Tattoo.
Other events throughout the month of October include:
- Pride Gets Fat on Tuesday in Safety Harbor at 6 p.m. Oct. 18. A Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday celebration at Tapping the Vine in Safety Harbor will feature jazz entertainment and a special Cajun menu.
- Pig Out for Pride's Sake at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 19, at Nauti-Nancy's. A Kalua Pig Roast is on the menu and live entertainment will be provided by Paris and the Birds of Paradise. Also expect a limbo contest and other luau-themed events.
- Bowling Night OUT at 10 p.m., Oct. 20, at Dunedin Lanes. A $10 admission includes unlimited cosmic bowling and drink specials throughout the night. Performances by Natasha Richards and Jessica Fox are scheduled throughout the evening.
- The Finest in Female Impersonation, 8 pm., Oct. 21 at Blur Nightclub. Two shows are scheduled that night featuring several of Tampa Bay's favorite local drag performers.
- Absolut Pool Party, 11 a.m., Oct. 22, at Beso del Sol. The popular event from last year is back and will feature a vendor expo, pool access, games and food.
For a full list of events surrounding the second annual North Pinellas Pride, visit NorthPinellasPride.org.
