Guavaween Takes a Turn for the Better!

The Chair and the Board of Directors of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce are pleased to invite the Tampa Bay Area to Ybor City for Guavaween 2011 on Saturday, October 29th. This unique Halloween, costumed street-party has become a "Tampa tradition" like Gasparilla, with its own mythos. This "Halloween with a Latin flair," is known as one of the top Halloween events in the country.

Guavaween grew out of the Artist and Writer's Ball in Ybor's Bohemian era, over 25 years ago. The event evolved into a street celebration with the advent of the "Mama Guava Stumble," where groups marched in theatrical costumes with satirical themes. Around, 2000, attendance topped-out at over 100,000 (not an urban myth). Since that time, Ybor City has become a "kinder and gentler place" and Guavaween attendance has stabilized at 20,000 for the night time event. More people come in costume and in groups than ever before and it has developed a solid safety record with the vigilant support of both the Tampa Police Department and Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

With the re-introduction of the motorized-parade, sponsored by Tampa Digital, strong, modern rock acts of "Tonic" and "Eve6," on the Play 98.7 Stage, the addition of a more intimate stage at Centro Ybor hosted by Q105 featuring local, classic rock icons "Coo Coo Cha Choo" and up-and-comers "Scilter" at the Halloween Express Stage, we are making a serious effort to grow both the quality and attendance of this very special, special event.

We are particularly proud that Ybor's own Savtira Corporation has sign-on as our Presenting Sponsor. Savtira's tag line - We are Cloud Commerce will become nationally-known with the launch of their new eStore concurrent with Guavaween 2011.

Guavaween has become a "right-of-passage" for the young and an "annual pilgrimage" for the young-at-heart. For your hosts, it is an opportunity to demonstrate our hospitality and to remind you that we are here every day of the year to host your special events: birthdays, weddings and corporate parties. Whether your team wins or loses - Ybor is the place to celebrate or commiserate - just ask our Outback Bowl fans from around the country. Ybor City triggers the communal memory and sparks our collective imagination.

- Tom Keating