Jackie Guenther
•6/12/2026
Fort Myers is set to host its first Pride celebration in the River District this Saturday, with thousands expected to attend, leading to road closures and heightened safety measures.Chris Mosteiro, a board member for Visuality, said the organization has worked closely with the city to plan the event. "We've worked with the city on event planning for several months. We've had meetings with the city event manager. We've had meetings with the Fort Myers Police Department," Mosteiro said. Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson emphasized the city's efforts to ensure safety during large downtown events. "There's a lot of effort, pre-planning, that goes into all events that happen downtown. We do our best to close the streets, block them, make sure our pedestrians are safe from vehicles. There are usually extra police officers around, depending on the size of the event. There are a lot of assets deployed that you can't see," Anderson said. Visuality and city officials have stressed that safety is their top priority, while business owners highlight the event's potential to benefit local businesses as well. "It brings people downtown. The more people we bring downtown, the better," said Jason Bittner, owner of Restoration Body LLC. Road closures will include First Street between Jackson and Royal Palm, and Lee Street from Bay to Richmond. City leaders are urging drivers to plan ahead and expect delays. The Pride celebration also coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, a tragedy that continues to resonate within the LGBTQ+ community. "It's just a horrible, horrible situation, and it's very sad. I think nowadays we all just kind of need to all get along and praise each other for our differences," Bittner said. Mayor Anderson reflected on the importance of tolerance and respect within the community. "Like any event, while they may not agree with lifestyle choices, that they can still respect people as individuals, that--that's what makes the community is. We're a diverse community on so many different levels. Right? And-- and we need to be tolerant of diversity," Anderson said. Attendees are encouraged to plan ahead, arrive early, and stay safe during the celebration.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
