GULFPORT GECKOFEST
GULFPORT GOES GECKOS!
9th Annual GeckoFest
ADMISSION IS FREE! PARKING IS FREE!
During LABOR DAY WEEKEND on Beach Blvd. in Gulfport
September 5, 2009
From 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Beach Blvd., Gulfport
ONLINE VENDOR APPLICATIONS: http://gulfportma.com
Sponsorship and Vendor Coordinator: Suzanne King at (727)322.5217 or GulfportEvents@gmail.com
for additional assistance, you may e-mail Marlene Shaw at mshaw9@tampabay.rr.com
GECKOFEST attracted over 15,000 patrons in 2008, and is expected to expand again this year! The event is FREE to the public and features a variety of strolling street performers, main stage musicians, fun foods, and a plethora of purveyors with all types of weird and wonderful wares. Over 165 vendors will be in attendance at this year's event!
" free trolley and parking details.
GeckoFest Welcomes Boaters!
Dinghy dock available behind the Gulfport Casino Ballroom.
Artsy Gulfport continues their whimsical salute to the Gecko with the Eighth Annual Gecko Fest. This family festival and walking parade celebrates the End of Summer and Labor Day weekend with color, whimsy, extraordinary entertainment and a street dance on Saturday, September 5, 2009. Gecko Fest is easily described as a whimsical combination of a family-oriented Mardi Gras, Renaissance Faire, and British Loony Parties gone Gecko in Gulfport, Florida.
Join in the Gecko Walking Parade at 6:00 pm! Wear Gecko hats, fish hats, colorful hats and costumes to celebrate the many colors of Geckos! Bring drums, rattles, noise makers, kazoos, musical instruments, balloons, decorated umbrellas - just use your imagination. Join in or be a spectator - this parade is full of colorful surprises and characters! At the end of the parade, prizes will be awarded for the best adults, children's and hat costumes!
Selected as "Best Bet," "Hot Ticket," "Hot Road Trip," AOLs top ten for Labor Day Weekend, and "Planet Pick," this locally cultivated festival is filled with whimsy and charm as is this quaint waterfront community. For further information, call (727)322.5217. This quirky celebration brings together strolling street performers, main stage performers and over 165 vendors are expected at this years event with all types of weird and wonderful wares up and down Beach Blvd. Enjoy the O-Fish-Al GECKO Goddess and the Gecko Court, the Gecko Governor, along with Kim Magic, Barnaby, Belly Dancers Hip Expressions, The West Coast Mutineers, ARRR Ink, Sterling The Silver Statute, City of Imagination, Orlando's Most Wanted Dance Team, Bohemian Fire, Captain Tut's Pirate Parrots who will be roaming the streets and entertaining the crowds! Check out GeckoFest on the www.youtube created by Elizabeth Neily: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcTiw1Rr7rA
If you want to stay in one place...FREE live entertainment will be provided on three main stages from 11 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Musicians will include Next Exit, Terra Luna, ROTC, Noisemakers, Gypsy Trane, Mike Wilcox, Gabe Whitney, King James Drumming Dircle, ROTC, DJ JD Burrell, Mimi the Mime, Sheldon Blake, Jacquex Huell, Southern Jamm and more. Additional activities include Sidewalk Chalk Art, Face Painting, Belly Dance Lessons and more, more, more. There will also be a street dance from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
This FREE event is sponsored by the Gulfport Merchants Association, The City of Gulfport, Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, The St. Petersburg Times, Bright House Networks, GEICO and Sail AWay Realty and the City of Gulfport. Proceeds will benefit the the Gulfport Recreation Center.
The Gulfport Merchants Association, the GeckoFest characters, Gecko Goddess and the Gecko Governor hopes to see you there! Sun, wind or rain, we have always had fun. Make it a great day!
