Guavaween is easily both Tampa's largest, and weirdest, Halloween party celebrating this spooked-out holiday. Taking place in Ybor City every weekend right before, or on, Halloween, Guavaween has become a full-day venture offering fun and attractions for families, kids and partygoers alike. This year's Guavaween falls on Saturday, October 29.
Legend has it that Ybor was first sought out by Spanish food broker, Gavino Gutierrez, when he was searching for a suitable location rife with guava trees to harvest for goods like guava paste and jams. His attempts were foiled by an inadequate climate and climbing land prices, but the search for guavas will always be remembered as the impetus that birthed life and culture in Tampa Bay.
When columnist Steve Otto proposed that Tampa be nicknamed "The Big Guava" just like New York as "The Big apple", the name stuck and history was made.
When the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce and the now-defunct Playmaker's Theatre were toying with the idea of an annual October fundraiser, the idea of the "Big Guava", then "Guavaween" seemed more than appropriate. Guavaween was born and the first one kicked off in 1985 with Mama Guava leading the stumble parade and Steve Otto as the grand marshall.
Now in its 26th year, Guavaween has blossomed into an event attracting thousands of visitors from across the world each pre-Halloween weekend.
When the sun goes down, things get fun for the adult crowd (really, leave the kiddies at home for this one) with the main attraction, the Mama Guava Parade beginning at 8 p.m. Limited to just walking and people-powered floats in the past few years, the Mama Guava Parade will boast motorized floats once again this year. Enjoy or enter the huge costume contest, enjoy live music and much, much more.
Stay tuned here at 813area.com as we keep you posted on all the events and activities in store for Guavaween 2011 on Saturday, October 29.
