Tea Cup’s Birthday
Thank you to the 700+ people who wished me happy birthday on Facebook! This year, my better half, Carrie, took me to St. Augustine. I had a photo taken during my birthday dinner at The Ice Plant Bar & Restaurant located inside the St. Augustine Distillery, and YES, we did take home some extra vodka. Cheers and thank you for making this one of my best birthdays ever!
Orlando’s Come Out with Pride is 11 Years Proud!
National Coming Out Day is October 11. That is no coincidence that Orlando’s Pride event, hosted by Orlando’s Metropolitan Business Association, occurred that same weekend. The business organization is similar to the local Tampa Bay’s GaYBOR District Coalition and the Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The COWP Pride line-up this year included a special 5k run, a block party, a weekend brunch, a market festival around the lake, and the huge parade that wrapped around downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola.
Over 150,000 people from around the country shared the spirit of the fun, fall Central Florida weekend. This year’s exciting news was that marriage equality was stamped “Yes and Equal” from the U.S. Supreme Court. What a difference a few years makes!
The entertainment was divided at five different locations around the lake. All had local singers and groups. The Orlando Gay Chorus and a wide variety of local DJ’s were spinning to keep the activities upbeat.
Thousands of Tampa Bay residents who were at the Pride festivities stopped by to say hello to Tampa Pride at our sponsoring booth. Tampa Pride also had a wild, colorful float in the daytime parade.
New Bar Opening
The rumors are TRUE! Hamburger Mary’s Pub House Tampa will be opening on November 1, located next door to Hamburger Mary’s in Centro Ybor on the second floor. The new Pub House will have many surprises for you. To stay in the know, join the facebook page today at facebook.com/HamburgerMarysPubHouseTampa.
District Tea
Legendary DJ Chris Cox was in the house! The grand opening of the Sunday District Tea Dance was packed! There was great music, cheap drinks, and HOT GUYS! We can easily see this place becoming “the place to be”! Doors open at 5 p.m. every Sunday. See you there this Sunday!
Streetcar Art Project
The streetcars are now on public display along the streetcar line and Riverwalk in Tampa. Our car is parked in Centennial Park. Stop by and take a photo with her, then tag us on Facebook. Thank you to the crew of Tampa Bay artLoud!
The 4th Annual Fantasma Fest
Fantasma Fest is an annual event dedicated to uniting the community to celebrate Ybor City’s music, food and culture. This year’s event takes place Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, and features The Little Monster’s Pumpkin Patch and Promenade, The Big Monster’s Bed Race, and The Classic Car & Vintage Motorcycle Show.
Pumpkin Patch (Sat., 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.) – This year we are proud to give away over 2500 pumpkins! Each child will be able to decorate the pumpkin and also receive a tote and map to trick or treat at over 30 locations in Ybor while supplies last.
Bed Race (Sat., 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.) – Several area businesses and city officials will race their beds down 7th Avenue, drag race tournament-style, for Ybor pride, bragging rights and the coveted trophy which stays with the winner for a year until it’s time to battle once again.
Car & Motorcycle Show (Sun., 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.) – 7th Avenue will be closed from 17th to 19th Streets and will be full of classic cars and vintage bikes. All proceeds will benefit veterans’ charities.
