St. Pete Pride festival draws participants from all over FL

Thousands of people came out to show support for the St. Pete Pride festival Saturday afternoon.

"I am gay, so this is a huge thing for me," Sarah Creighton said. "It's a community and it's supportive and wonderful."

The St. Pete Pride parade brought together tens of thousands of people, making it the largest gay pride parade in all of Florida.

Residents such as Amanda Meadows who live on the parade route, said for the most part the parade was family-friendly, but there were some groups that were more adult-themed.

"I think it is a community event," Meadows said. "And who doesn't like a parade?"

Nikol Hillman brought her kids and grandkids to the parade. She said she wouldn't have missed it.

"It's important and let them know diversity and acceptance and start them young," Hillman said. "We don't want to preach hate."

Sharon Eddy is the mother of a 14 year old, who is gay. So for her, the parade was a sign of support.

"It means a lot for her to see that there are a lot of people like her," Eddy said. "And that there is a lot of love and support and that she can be who she is."

Although there were some participants in risqué costumes and some wearing very little at all, Eddy said it's all in the name of fun and family time.

"You know they are just having fun," Eddy said. "They are having a good time. We are all here having fun and these people are just being who they are."

This is the eighth year the St. Pete Pride festival has been held. People from all over the state came to take part in the celebrations.