Guavaween

Guavaween is an annual open street Halloween celebration with Latin Flavor. The event takes place on the last Saturday of October in Ybor City, Florida.

Since its inception more than 20 years ago, Guavaween has grown increasingly popular and has become one of the largest festivals in Ybor. The daylight hours are usually more family-oriented and in the past have included such activities as a costume contest, scavenger hunt, Safe Trick-or-treat at Centro Ybor, food and amusement rides. Around dusk the Mama Guava Stumble Parade, Guavaween's most popular attraction, makes it way down Seventh Avenue, the main street in Ybor. The parade, led by Mama Guava, features floats and costumed individuals who throw candy and beads to the spectators.

History

In the 1880s, Tampa pioneer Gavino Gutierrez decided that Tampa was the perfect place to cultivate guava commercially. The climate and rising land prices kept him from his dream. A local newspaper columnist planted the idea that if New York City is the "Big Apple," then Tampa must be the "Big Guava."

According to a well known area artist and college professor of art, prior to Mama Guava and Guavaween, many (then) young artist who were sharing loft spaces in an old closed cigar factory; came up with the idea to throw a very large Halloween party and charge all who attended $1.00 at the door. The party was a success and the artist continued the party year after year and the crowds grew and grew as word spread. Somehow from the artist's original Halloween Parties, Guavaween as well as the first Artists and Writers Ball evolved. The first Artists and Writers Ball was given at the Cuban Club in their courtyard. It seems to me that The Tampa Tribune was the sponsor of that affair which featured many bands and entertainers. It was a giant success as people from all walks of life joined together, sharing tables, eating, drinking and dancing the night away. ^{[http://www.sptimes.com/2007/10/23/Hillsborough/A_Guavaween_tale_of_t.shtml]}

The Artists and Writers Ball did not originally start from these Halloween Parties, but started as an underground alternative to Gasparilla. The Artists and Writers Group (Bud Lee, Peggy Lee, David Audet, Paul Wilborn, Beverly Coe and Bebe Williams) was the impetus behind The Artists and Writers Ball. [ [http://www.sptimes.com/2004/01/18/Floridian/A_closeup_with_mortal.shtml A Closeup With Mortality] "St. Petersburg Times". January 18, 2004.] It was traditionally held in early February around the time of Gasparilla.

Events

The celebration attracts over 100,000 people from all over the world and not only features the stumble parade, costume contest and live national and local concerts, but has become a full day of fun for folks of all ages. Guavaween Family FunFest fills the streets between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. offering exciting activities for the young and old alike. Activities include a scavenger hunt, safe trick-or-treating, live music, food, rides, contests and the Children's Costume Contest and Parade.

For twenty years, the ornately decorated Mama Guava has led her loyal band of followers and revelers in the Mama Guava Stumble Parade. Mama Guava claims stake to "taking the 'bore' out of Ybor." After 4:00 p.m., Mama Guava welcomes her adult revelers and the evening party gets under way. Of course, Historic Ybor City features fabulous shops, restaurants and clubs that attract the followers late into the night. Guavaween is a party with a purpose that also acts as the primary fundraiser for the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce. Guavaween serves to preserve Tampa's oldest city.

It is quite common for both adults and children to attend Guavaween in costume. Things tend to become more risqué during the evening hours so plan accordingly if Ybor's sultry side is something you do or do not wish to experience. Parking can be extremely difficult in Ybor during Guavaween so plan to arrive early if you want a parking space and expect to pay for it. Shuttle buses run from Florida State Fairgrounds, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Port Authority, and University of South Florida Sun Dome.

References

Photos of day activities

[http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssephotography/sets/72157603385160172/ Guavaween Kids Day Activities]

External links

* [http://www.cc-events.org/gw/ Official Guavaween Site]