‘We have the biggest boat parades in the country’: Talking with Tampa Pride on the River host Brianna Summers

This weekend, local performer Brianna Summers will host Pride on The River’s Drag Brunch and head down the river to liven up the Riverwalk.

Summers will also take the stage at the Riverside Festival happening at the Armature Works pier. We sat down with Ms. Summers to hear about plans for Tampa Pride on the River 2022, happening on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Hello Brianna Summers! First, for people who might not know you, would you mind telling us a bit about yourself and where people might find you?

Of course. Obviously, my name is Briana Summers. I’m a local entertainer here in Tampa Bay. I travel all over Florida, though. I have my Drag By The Bay show in Gulfport, I have a show at the new Salty Nun In St. Pete, I’m on cast at Hamburger Mary’s in Clearwater, and perform a lot at Southern Nights and Bradley’s in Ybor City.
Last year, you were part of the inaugural Pride on The River. What are some of your favorite parts about last year? What are some things that are new for this year that you’re excited to see?

So last year, it was really exciting to be a part of Tampa Pride on The River because it was the first of its kind in the country. We have the first ever Pride Boat parade, right here in Tampa Bay, where [we] have the biggest boat parades in the country for Gasparilla any and all of the sporting events. So for us to have our own parade was really amazing. I love seeing those hundreds and hundreds of people and pride flags all down the river… to look out and see people you don’t know cheering and then see people you do know and you’re there as a community…it was just such a great feeling.

The whole day was just so magical.

And I’m excited to do it again this year! I know we have some new things– I can’t really disclose what some new things are—but we’re hoping the boat parade is bigger. I know that our brunch is going to be changing a little bit, and I’m excited to host one big brunch. It’s gonna be this massive theater-style brunch with us performing. I also have a big production with a group of entertainers here in Tampa that will be debuting on the main stage. So think “Bring it On” with all stunts like acrobatics, cheerleaders, gymnasts.

Are you going more Clovers or Torros?

Both.

Amazing.

I’m just excited for the whole thing happening again. I’m ready for more people to experience this. I’m so ready.

This article appears in Sep 15-21, 2022.