Since 2016, the Mayor and the City of St. Petersburg Council members have hosted a flag raising ceremony in front of City Hall. On the Thursday before the race weekend, Mayor Ken Welch and Green Savoree Racing Promotions co-owners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree will the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg flag high, and welcomed the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, all the support racing series, and fans back to sunny St. Pete. 

In 2018, there was a special dedication to St. Pete resident, Sebastien Bourdais, who had won the 2017 Firestone Grand Prix. He was surprised with his own street sign at the flag raising ceremony presented by Mayor Rick Kriseman.