KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Time to celebrate love! Kissimmee’s 2023 Pridefest was ready to fill the streets and celebrate the beginning of Pride Month on Saturday.
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Organizers said the event was a way to bring awareness and acknowledge the impacts made by the local LQBTQ+ community.
Vendors packed Kissimmee’s Civic Center and the surrounding roads outside for this year’s event.
Amanda Dormaier, owner of A & Z Boutique, was happy to share a message of love at Pridefest.
“You love everybody,” she said. “No matter who it is, no matter what race, no matter what color, no matter what anything -- you just love everybody.”
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Pridefest featured dozens of vendors, live music, and activities.
Beyond the sales, vendors said the festival gives them a space to uplift others.
Sabrina and Sarlene Soto, owners of My Small Treasures shop, come to Pridefest to encourage others to be brave.
“We’re here to educate and support other people that are like us who don’t always see things like this -- and are scared to be in events like this,” they said. " We’re like no; we’re not scared -- We’re here.”
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The festival brings people together who are not that different from each other with a message of love, respect, and pride.
“We’re just like everyone else,” Soto said. “I don’t treat someone differently just because they’re different. You have to treat everybody the same-- the way you want to be treated.”
The event featured food and craft vendors, local artists, and activities for the whole family.