A St. Petersburg-driven event that gives its crowd a true taste of the area is set to return from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Hosted at The Dali Museum, this year’s Taste of Pride is expected to reach the downtown museum’s maximum capacity: 400 people.
St. Pete Pride, an organization that promotes unity, visibility, self-esteem and a positive image among the LGBT community, is behind the annual event. Taste of Pride began with a group of friends, and former board members of St. Pete Pride, who wanted to create a way for people to come together and experience what St. Pete has to offer.
In the years since, Taste of Pride has done just that.
“The patrons really enjoyed this event, and it was very successful,” says Scion Provenzano, president of St. Pete Pride. “It has continued to grow and grow. Now we are at the point we fill out way in advance.”
With vendors, volunteers and board members, Provenzano anticipates the event will sell out as it has in prior years.
Throughout the all-about-St. Pete gathering, guests will use their taste buds to tour the city’s restaurants and caterers. They’ll be able to catch the sun setting over the bay while dining al fresco in the Dali courtyard, as well as explore the various museum exhibits.
The featured food vendors (there’s a selection of nearly 20) include The Queens Head, Souzou, the in-house Cafe Gala, Orange Blossom Catering and Community Cafe. Traditional Cuban eats will be dished by Pipo’s Cuban Cafe, Thai cuisine will come from Thai-Am Restaurant, and Sweet Life Cupcakes and swah-rey will help end the evening on a sweet note.
Aside from bringing guests together through food, the funds raised from Taste of Pride go back to the community. The St. Pete Pride Community Grants Program uses that money in a number of ways, assisting patrons who need funding for a float in the signature Pride Parade among them.
Tickets — which come with entry into the museum, drink tickets and food sampling tickets — are priced at $40. For those who wish to taste more fare, additional tickets will be available for purchase. Organizers wanted the event to be easily accessible, according to Provenzano, so a complimentary valet service will also be provided.
Taste of Pride plans to keep improving and putting on a fun night for all.
“Our goal is always to grow and get bigger,” Provenzano said. “In this particular one, the more money that is raised, the more money we give back to the community.”
This article appears in Mar 10-16, 2016.