July 4th Festivities at Gaspar's Grotto Include Fundraising for Shriners Hospita
Mon Jul 4, 12:00 PM - Mon Jul 4, 3:00 PM

Support a worthy cause while enjoying Fourth of July festivities at Gaspar’s Grotto when the popular Ybor City pirate-themed restaurant and bar stakes its claim to fame as the home of the “World’s Largest Tip Bell.”

Guests will be able to “let freedom ring” by making the bar’s new half-ton bell chime each time they make a contribution.

All donations collected from noon until close on July 4 will benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children®, a nonprofit 22-location health care system that relies on the generosity of donors to provide expert pediatric specialty care, regardless of the families’ ability to pay for services. This fundraising event for Shriners Hospitals for Children coincides with the 142nd Imperial Session of Shriners International, which will be held in Tampa July 3 - 7. A fraternal organization, Shriners International founded and continues to support Shriners Hospitals for Children.

“In addition to the money raised by the ‘Ring the Bell for the Shriners Hospitals for Children,’ we also hope to be recognized by Guinness World Records for showcasing the World’s Largest Tip Bell,” said Eric Schiller, proprietor of Gaspar’s Grotto.

The bell, which was cast in the late 1800s, was originally installed in a church located in central Indiana. For more than 40 years it remained buried under a barn in Spencer, Ind. until it was excavated, fully restored and relocated to Tampa. To provide the bell a proper home, Gaspar’s Grotto will brand its main drink station on July 4 as “The Bell Buoy Bar.”

In an attempt to set the world-record, Gaspar’s Grotto will host special guests, a face painter for children and provide live music, food and drink specials and games and giveaways throughout the day.

Gaspars Grotto (http://gasparsgrotto.com/) is a celebrated restaurant, popular bar and lively nightspot that has hosted patrons and parties for 14 years. It is located in Ybor City at 1805 E. 7th Ave. For more information, call 813-248-5900.

Gaspar’s was recently recognized by WorldsBestBars.com which i