Largo is making room for LGBTQ+ joy to make a splash this summer.

Last week, the City of Largo announced plans to host an all-ages Pride Splash Party on Friday, June 9 at the Highland Family Aquatic Center.

The event, set for 7 p.m.-9 p.m at 400 Highwood Ave., will feature a live DJ, food, games and contests. Largo’s Pride Splash Party will be hosted by Mr. Vyn Suazion, the reigning Mr. St. Pete Pride.

Wristbands are $5 a person and will be sold at the door. Partygoers are invited to bring clean, reusable clothing, shoes and accessories and participate in a free clothing swap with Reloved Resale Shop.

Sponsorships for the event are available, and a press release ays the party is meant to “celebrate Pride Month and come together for our LBTQ+ community and allies.”

The announcement for a family-friendly event comes just after the cancellation of Pride on the River from Tampa Pride this past week following the signing of a series of LGBTQ+ bills.

A representative for the City of Largo told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that some people have called and said they were nervous about the event, but added there wouldn’t be any drag performers so that it should not be on the state’s radar.

Last Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis approved four bills at a signing ceremony at Tampa’s Cambridge Christian School. The laws are widely perceived as attempts to undercut LGBTQ rights and further alienate transgender Floridians, marketed by Republicans as policies to “protect children.”

Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.

This article appears in May 18-24, 2023.