The 17th annual Wilton Manors Stonewall Parade began on a more somber note this year.
The LGBTQ community honors the 49 who were killed in a Orlando nightclub last Sunday.
Fernando de Hoyos and his team with Latino Salud are giving out free hugs and offering a space for South Floridians to share their love with Orlando
"Our hearts go out to the victims of Orlando and we're going to celebrate their lives ," said Hoyos. "I hug people today and they say I've been wanting that the whole week."
Wilton Manor's 17th annual festival and parade commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Inn riots in New York City marking the start for the modern gay-rights movement.
"We're just hear to support everyone at festival, gay, straight it doesn't matter." said Kenny Lewis, a festival participant.
Lewis is a sponsor of the festival and says there's been a large police presence all day.
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"I felt great, when we were setting up they brought the bomb dogs around to sniff packages and I felt that was a great thing that they're doing here," said Lewis. "It's nice that we can all feel safe today."
Police officers from across Broward County are working with the Sheriffs Office, Florida Highway Patrol and even the FBI to ensure safety for all.
The parade will continue Saturday until around 11 p.m.
