Guavaween
Encyclopedia
Guavaween is an annual Latin-flavored Halloween
celebration which takes place on the last Saturday of October in the historic neighborhood of Ybor City on Tampa, Florida
. It is named after Tampa's nickname, "The Big Guava
".
Since its inception more than 20 years ago, Guavaween has become one of the largest festivals in Ybor. The daylight hours are 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 ride
s. Around dusk the Mama Guava Stumble Parade, Guavaween's most popular attraction, makes its 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.
Gavino Gutierrez came to the area to search for wild guava
trees that might be cultivated commercially. He didn't find usable trees, but he liked the small town of Tampa. After leaving the area, Gutierrez stopped by Key West
to visit his friend, cigar manufacturer Vicente Martinez-Ybor. Ybor was looking for a place to relocate his prosperous business, and Gutierrez recommended Tampa. Ybor took his advice and eventually founded Ybor City, helping Tampa grow from a small village to a bustling city over the next few decades.
Referencing this local history in the 1970s, local newspaper columnist Steve Otto planted the idea that if New York City
is the "Big Apple", then Tampa must be the "Big Guava"
. The nickname stuck.
evolved. The first Artists and Writers Ball
was given at the Cuban Club in their courtyard. 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. It was traditionally held in early February around the time of Gasparilla.
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. Guavaween is a party that 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. Parking can be extremely difficult in Ybor during Guavaween. Shuttle buses run from Florida State Fairgrounds
, Raymond James Stadium
, Tampa Port Authority, and University of South Florida Sun Dome.
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
celebration which takes place on the last Saturday of October in the historic neighborhood of Ybor City on Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
. It is named after Tampa's nickname, "The Big Guava
The Big Guava
The Big Guava is a nickname for Tampa, Florida. It was coined in the 1970s by Steve Otto, long-time newspaper columnist for the Tampa Tribune and the Tampa Times....
".
Since its inception more than 20 years ago, Guavaween has become one of the largest festivals in Ybor. The daylight hours are family-oriented and in the past have included such activities as a costume
Costume
The term costume can refer to wardrobe and dress in general, or to the distinctive style of dress of a particular people, class, or period. Costume may also refer to the artistic arrangement of accessories in a picture, statue, poem, or play, appropriate to the time, place, or other circumstances...
contest, scavenger hunt
Scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt is a game in which the organizers prepare a list defining specific items, using which the participants — individuals or teams — seek to gather all items on the list — usually without purchasing them — or perform tasks or take photographs of the items, as specified...
, safe trick-or-treat
Trick or Treat
Trick or Treat is a 1952 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The cartoon, which takes place on Halloween night, follows a series of pranks between Donald Duck and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie who are aided by Witch Hazel...
at Centro Ybor, food and amusement ride
Amusement ride
Amusement rides are large mechanical devices that move people to create enjoyment. They are frequently found at amusement parks, traveling carnivals, and funfairs.-Notable types:*Afterburner*Ali Baba*Balloon Race*Booster...
s. Around dusk the Mama Guava Stumble Parade, Guavaween's most popular attraction, makes its way down Seventh Avenue, the main street in Ybor. The parade, led by Mama Guava, features floats
Float (parade)
A float is a decorated platform, either built on a vehicle or towed behind one, which is a component of many festive parades, such as those of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Carnival of Viareggio, the Maltese Carnival, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Key West Fantasy Fest parade, the...
and costumed individuals who throw candy and beads to the spectators.
Historical roots
In the 1880s, Spanish-born and New York-basedNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
Gavino Gutierrez came to the area to search for wild guava
Guava
Guavas are plants in the myrtle family genus Psidium , which contains about 100 species of tropical shrubs and small trees. They are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America...
trees that might be cultivated commercially. He didn't find usable trees, but he liked the small town of Tampa. After leaving the area, Gutierrez stopped by Key West
Key West
Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. Key West is home to the southernmost point in the Continental United States; the island is about from Cuba....
to visit his friend, cigar manufacturer Vicente Martinez-Ybor. Ybor was looking for a place to relocate his prosperous business, and Gutierrez recommended Tampa. Ybor took his advice and eventually founded Ybor City, helping Tampa grow from a small village to a bustling city over the next few decades.
Referencing this local history in the 1970s, local newspaper columnist Steve Otto planted the idea that if New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
is the "Big Apple", then Tampa must be the "Big Guava"
The Big Guava
The Big Guava is a nickname for Tampa, Florida. It was coined in the 1970s by Steve Otto, long-time newspaper columnist for the Tampa Tribune and the Tampa Times....
. The nickname stuck.
Early Guavaween
According to a well known area artist and college professor of art, prior to Mama Guava and Guavaween, many (then) young artists were sharing loft spaces in an old closed cigar factory in the late 1970s and decided to throw a large Halloween party and charge all who attended $1.00. The party was a success and the artists continued the party in subsequent years and the crowds grew as word spread. Somehow from the artist's original Halloween Parties, Guavaween s well as the first Artists and Writers BallArtists and Writers Ball
The Artists and Writers Ball was founded in the late 70's in Tampa, FL by Bud Lee , Peggy Lee, David Audet, Paul Wilborn, Jeff Dunlap, Beverly Coe,...
evolved. The first Artists and Writers Ball
Artists and Writers Ball
The Artists and Writers Ball was founded in the late 70's in Tampa, FL by Bud Lee , Peggy Lee, David Audet, Paul Wilborn, Jeff Dunlap, Beverly Coe,...
was given at the Cuban Club in their courtyard. 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
Artists and Writers Ball
The Artists and Writers Ball was founded in the late 70's in Tampa, FL by Bud Lee , Peggy Lee, David Audet, Paul Wilborn, Jeff Dunlap, Beverly Coe,...
did not originally start from these Halloween Parties, but started as an underground alternative to Gasparilla
Gasparilla Pirate Festival
The Gasparilla Pirate Festival is an annual celebration held in the city of Tampa, Florida. Held each year in late January and hosted by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the City of Tampa, it celebrates the apocryphal legend of José Gaspar , supposedly a Spanish pirate captain who operated in...
. The Artists and Writers Group (Bud Lee
Bud Lee (photographer)
Bud Lee is a Florida based photojournalist and artist. His photography has been published in Life, Esquire, Rolling Stone, Town & Country, and The New York Times Magazine...
, Peggy Lee, David Audet, Paul Wilborn, Beverly Coe and Bebe Williams) was the impetus behind The Artists and Writers Ball. 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. Guavaween is a party that 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. Parking can be extremely difficult in Ybor during Guavaween. Shuttle buses run from Florida State Fairgrounds
Florida State Fairgrounds
The Florida State Fairgrounds is located in Tampa, Florida. In addition to holding the annual Florida State Fair, the fairgrounds also hosts a wide variety of other events throughout the year....
, Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events...
, Tampa Port Authority, and University of South Florida Sun Dome.