Hot, humid and happy: Photos from 2016 Tampa Pride Credit: Chip Weiner

The official start of the Tampa Pride Parade included a group carrying a pride flag down crowded 7th Avenue.

Tampa Pride took over the streets of Ybor City Saturday, the second annual celebration after a 13-year hiatus. Temperatures pressed the 90-degree mark and humidity was near late July levels. Starting at 10 a.m., this year's festival took over two parking lots along 8th Avenue and extended into a kid-friendly area in Centennial Park across the street. Dozens of vendors, sponsors tents, and nonprofits took part in the celebration.

Transgender actress Nicky Monet entertains on the stage in Centro Ybor before the parade. She has been in the district for 10 years and works at both Hamburger Mary's and Liquid. Her appropriations of kids’ songs like "If you're a gay man and you know it clap your hands" delighted the audience.

At 1 o'clock a parade of dancers, floats, drag performers, and gay-friendly organizations marched down 7th Avenue to the pleasure of thousands of proud Pride-goers.

Alexis Mateo Miss Tampa Pride 2016 Credit: Chip Weiner

Parade Grand Marshall and television personality Russell Rhodes Credit: Chip Weiner

An energetic crowd packs the street and balcony in front of The Honey Pot along the parade route Credit: Chip Weiner

Former Mayor Pam Iorio, now president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, strolls under a rainbow umbrella

Celebrating in front of Bradley’s on 7th Avenue Credit: Chip Weiner

Dancer Mario Boskovic, a member of the Tampa Bay Rays crew, turns a flip on 7th Ave. Credit: Chip Weiner

Entertainers on the Honey Pot and Southern Nights float. Credit: Chip Weiner

Daniel Bannister performs in front of Centro Ybor. Credit: Chip Weiner

Jessica and Carol Rivera-Orocho, who were married in Tampa last year, hold their pride flag proudly. Credit: Chip Weiner

Shhh…don’t tell anyone… Peyton and Nicole rocking their lesbian T’s. Credit: Chip Weiner

Eddie Guzman attended the festival sporting his Pride specs. Credit: Chip Weiner

The party continued after the parade. Tensions increased as a group of protesters holding religious signs shouted inflammatory remarks about the gay community, calling them wicked reprobates. A man dressed as Jesus approached and tried to speak reason, but the yelling continued. At one point the protesters threw a Pride flag to the ground and stood on it, causing a shouting match. Throughout their protest Tampa police stood nearby and eventually broke up the crowd, saying they were blocking the sidewalk. The demonstrators re-grouped across the street and continued their taunting. For the most part, cooler minds prevailed. The party was scheduled to continue into the night.