Guavaween Music Fest Building Towards 30 Bands!

"Mama Guava" to Host Costume Contest

(Tampa, Florida) The Ybor City Chamber announced today that Tampa actress, Kathi Grau, will reprise her role as the infamous Mama Guava hosting the 2012 Costume Contest. This year's Guavaween, to be held on Saturday, October 27th from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM will feature both a new indoor Music Festival that now includes nearly 30 acts, and the annual Costume Contest.

"Our theme for the 27th edition of Guavaween 'The Many Shades of Ybor' should provide for some great people watching," said Tom Keating, President of the Ybor City Chamber. "We have six 'live music venues' lined-up from one end of the District to the other and the Costume Contest will be held right in the middle at the Centro Ybor stage at 9:00 PM." The nationally-known Costume Contest, sponsored by Bud Light Platinum, draws competitors from all over the country with a first prize of $1,000, second prize of $500 and third prize of $250.

Participation in the Music Festival requires a universal wristband, available in advance for only $20; day of $30. Entry in the Costume Contest also requires a wristband. However, the public is welcome to observe the contest at the Centro Ybor Stage at no charge. There will be no wet-zoning of Ybor City this year and hence no fence. Guests are encouraged to visit the Historic District in costume and enjoy Ybor's wide range of cafes, restaurants, cigar bars and pubs.

The music component of this year's Guavaween is being produced for the Chamber by bay area production company, Brokenmold Entertainment, LLC. Venues include Ybor destinations: The Ritz Ybor, Orpheum, Czar, Crowbar, Market on 7th, New World Brewery and the Centro Ybor courtyard. The headliner is The Hold Steady and the line-up includes: Jessica Lea Mayfield, Adrian Younge, Rubblebucket, Tortured Soul, Nervous Turkey, SounDuo, Fake Problems and many more quality acts (see our website for the full line-up.)

Special thanks to event sponsors: GTE Financial, Centro Ybor, Bud Light Platinum, and the Hilton Garden Inn. Media Sponsors are Time Bay Times/tbt* and WMNF 88.5. To get more information and purchase advance discount tickets for only $20 go to www.ybor.org and click-on Guavaween.

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