It's officially pride time in St. Petersburg.

From concerts to comedy and the highly anticipated parade, the weekend is more than just fun.

It's also about education, promoting unity, visibility and self-esteem among the LGBT community.

The city is expecting about 200,000 people to come out for the events, which include a major change to the parade route.

For the first time, the parade will be downtown along the waterfront, running from Vinoy Park to Albert Whitted Park. Hotels downtown are sold out.

Businesses are bars are getting ready for the influx of people.

"I don't know if you're ever really prepared for something like that," said Marcus Frazier of Fresco's Waterfront Bistro. You can't even quantify how many people are going to be here, but I think we're as ready as we're going to be."

Despite some initial controversy over holding the parade downtown instead of the Grand Central District, Frazier said everyone downtown is excited for the event and that he can't think of a better location.

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"This is the perfect city for it because down in St. Pete, it's a perfect mesh of everybody," he said. "Everyone is very accepting of others lifestyles here, so I think it's fantastic."

Mayor Rick Kriseman is proud the city is known for such a diverse event.

"The LGBT community is such an important part of the city of St. Petersburg," Kriseman said. "And we talk a lot in St. Pete about being a city of opportunity, where the sun shines on all and about diversity and about inclusion. And this parade and what it represents really speaks volumes to those things."

The events get started Friday night with a fundraising event helping various Tampa Bay community organization. There is more entertainment set for Saturday starting at 2 p.m. and the parade is at 6.

Security will be tight, as it has been in recent years. Federal, state and local partners are teaming up on the safety plan. Marine units will be used, and detectives in plain clothes will be present.