Gay pride parade tampa

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However, this pause is necessary for the organization to regroup, reassess our long-term strategy, and identify additional avenues of
funding to secure the future stability of Tampa Pride events.

Carrie, your remarkable dedication and unwavering service as President of Tampa Pride over the past 12 years have been deeply valued.

Currently, we are unable to renew your contract.

The current political and economic climate, including challenges with corporate sponsorships, reductions in county, state and federal grant funding, and the discontinuation of DEI programs under Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has made it increasingly difficult for our organization to sustain ongoing operations for 2026.

Due to these challenges, the Board has made the difficult decision to implement a one-year hiatus of the annual Tampa Pride Festival and Diversity Parade and all the affiliated Tampa Pride events.

They must wear yellow safety vests (available at bead stores) and may not otherwise participate (no bead throwing as they are monitoring your float space full time).

FLOAT / MOTORIZED VEHICLE:

All floats and cars are required by Fire Marshall to have a Fire Extinguisher in any motorized vehicle.

The 2024 theme of “10 Years of Celebrating You” is encouraged to be reflected in your entry.

PERSONAL SAFETY:

All Parade participants should be aware of the possibility of heat exhaustion and/or stroke.

We recognize the festival and parade’s significant financial contribution to local businesses and its vital role to our LGBTQIA+ community.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. He said people can still expect the same vibrant festivities at their event on March 28.

“We’re ready for it, and we’re ready to move forward with it, but definitely, we need the people and the community to show up and support, donate, volunteer,” Horcha said.

Horcha said their group will stick around, even if Tampa Pride becomes active again.

8 On Your Side reached out to Tampa Pride for comment.

Volunteer opportunities include event hosts, registration coordinators, communications coordinators, parade captains and street festival hosts.

Current Volunteer Sign-up Sheets

No sheets currently available at this time.

Please login to view and edit your volunteer sign ups.

Sign up for email notifications for future volunteer opportunities

If you would like an email notification sent to you when Tampa Pride volunteer opportunities are posted, complete the Volunteer Sign-Up Form.

August 1, 2025

Dear Carrie West,

The Tampa Pride Board regrets to inform you that your employment contract with Tampa Pride will conclude on August 31, 2025.

They did not immediately get back to us to answer our questions.

FLOAT GUIDES:

For safety reasons we require each float have six (6) people walking; one for each corner and sides – these people can help keep the crowd from running up to float for candy/trinkets and can help direct float around corners.

The temperature on parade day could be in excess of 85 degrees.
Entries are encouraged to bring plenty of water and replenishing fluids for participants.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A newly formed volunteer organization, Pride of Tampa, is hosting a new set of Pride events in March which had been cancelled previously.
“We’ll be having two different types of street festivals with lots of fun, lots of live entertainment, just making sure that everyone feels welcome and included,” said Aaron Horcha, the vice president of Pride of Tampa.
How much money will the $1.8B Powerball winner actually bring home?

We plan fundraising and social events all year long and would love to have you on the team to provide much needed and much appreciated support. The Board, Directors, committee members, and the community are profoundly grateful for your tireless efforts and leadership, which have left a lasting impact on our organization and the many events you have brought to the city and county that had showcased our unique inclusive area across the country.
On behalf of the Board, Thank You for all your commitment and contributions throughout your tenure as a remarkably devoted community individual and leader.
Sincerely,
The Board of Tampa Pride

2025 Parade Application
DECORATIONS:
All floats must be decorated prior to arrival at the staging area.

The following volunteer opportunities are open right now!
We owe much of Tampa Pride’s success to our volunteers!

Horcha said filling the void today is more important than ever.
“The political environment that we’re in right now, a lot of my LGBT+ community is being harassed and replaced, and we will not stand for it,” Horcha said.
“There’s so many people in our community that do not feel welcome,” Horcha said.
“The first time they go to Pride, they feel like they’re with their tribe.”
Horcha said there wasn’t enough time put together funding for a parade.

Tampa Pride prohibits the display of logos, slogans or trademarks of any business other than the business listed on your application.
SOUND:
Any float or walking group using amplified music or sound equipment must support their own equipment. It is our goal to spread these floats and walking groups throughout the parade to decrease the instances of competing sound as much as possible.
TRASH/CLEAN UP:
In order to limit clean-up costs each entry is required to be equipped with plastic trash bags for depositing trash and litter accumulated by the entry’s participants before, during and after the Parade.