NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — The inaugural Pasco Pride festival is scheduled to kick off in Sims Park Oct. 6.

  • Aim to change negative perception about county, community
  • Festival has support from other area Pride organizations
  • Also opportunity to showcase downtown New Port Richey

“Pasco is very conservative, but Pasco is a lot of things, right?” said Pasco Pride Executive Vice President Nina Borders. “What I’ve found is that Pasco carries a negative connotation and vice versa -- the LGBTQ community in Pasco carries a negative connotation. We were like, ‘Well, how can we change that?’”

For Borders and Pasco Pride’s founder Denise Johnson, the answer came in the form of the festival.

Johnson said smaller pride celebrations have been held in the county, but this will be something a little different. The day-long event will be family friendly, include activities throughout the day, and feature a march around the park’s Orange Lake.

“We’re working very hard to dispel all the rumors that some of society has with regards to the LGBTQ-plus community. We’re just average people,” Johnson said.

Johnson said Pasco Pride has received support and guidance from other local pride organizations, including St. Pete Pride. Luke Blankenship, executive director of that group, called the Pasco festival “monumental” in a statement, and said the event demonstrates the local commitment to equality.

“We want the community to know that we’re here, we’ve been here, we’re not going anywhere, and you embrace us, we’re going to embrace you right back,” Johnson said.

Organizers also view the festival as a chance to showcase Pasco County, particularly downtown New Port Richey. They said visitors will be directed to downtown businesses for food and beverages.

“This place is beautiful,” Borders said of Pasco. “You have to come here, see us, meet us, eat at our restaurants, and you’ll love us. I mean, you’ll love us. We’re a hometown.”

Pasco Pride is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, visit: https://pascoprideproud.org.