12th Annual Gulfport Geckofest
September 1st, 2012
From 10:00 am until 10:00 pm
On Beach Blvd. South in Gulfport, Florida
For Vendor information, contact: Suzie King, SIK Promotions - 727-322-5217
GECKOFEST 12th ANNIVERSARY!!!
Saturday, September 1st, 2012
From 10 am-10:00 pm
3129 Beach Blvd., Gulfport 33707
TIME TO GET YOUR GECKO ON!
It’s time to get your Gecko on! The popular Gecko Fest, Gulfport’s whimsical send off to summer, will take place on Saturday, September 1st from 10am to 10pm.
Imagine Mardi Gras meets the Renaissance where strolling street characters, stage musicians, performing artists and merchants with all types of weird and wonderful wares come together and captivate the crowds throughout the waterfront district. Over 30,000 attendees and up to 200 artisans, craftsmen & quirky vendors will be appearing at this year’s 12th annual celebration.
Roving characters provided by Your Total Entertainment, who will be roaming the streets and interacting with visitors along with the o-fish-al Gecko Goddess and the Gecko Court. Live musical entertainment will be provided on two main stages from noon till 10 p.m. The confirmed band line up to date is; Circle 4 Band, Tropical Disturbance, Casey Allen, The Paul Anthony Band, Bing Futch and Urban Gypsies. More bands will be added soon. The Kids Zone, provided by Spotlight Amusements will be bigger and better than ever, taking up one full city block.
Don’t forget this is an audience participation event especially the walking parade at 6pm…think whimsical, colorful, wacky, noisy, and costumed. Parade staging begins at 5:30 in front of the Gulfport Casino at 5500 Shore Boulevard South. Registration is not required. Just join in at the Casino or anywhere along the Beach Blvd parade route. Costume contests will take place following the parade.
Costume categories this year will include best “Hooray for Geckowood!” themed costume, best decorated hat and best overall, for both children and adults. Prizes include “trophies” created by local artist Owen Patch.
The day culminates in Gulfport’s famous Street Dance at 8:00 pm, featuring The Urban Gypsies. Bring your beach chairs and dancing shoes, and help celebrate our 12th Anniversary!
At the time of this printing vendor space is still available and filling up fast. Several basic categories are already sold out. If you would like to be considered for the 2012 event of the year do not delay. Postmark applications by July 31st for lowest price.
This family friendly event is presented by the Gulfport Merchants Association and sponsored by The City of Gulfport, The Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, SO49, Florida Re-bath, Tobacco Free America, Gulfport Patch, Geico, Tampa Bay Times, tbt* and Cox Media Group and there is no admission fee for a full day of fun for everyone.
For more information, please visit www.Gulfportma.com, www.geckofest.com or call 727-322-5217.
Gecko Ball 2012: Hooray for Geckowood! was held on Saturday, August 25th, 2012
“Hooray For Geckowood!” Came To Gulfport
Highlights from the Gecko Ball Red Carpet.
Oh what fun on August 25, 2012 as the Gulfport Merchants Association put on a stunning Gecko Ball at the Peninsula Inn in Gulfport Florida. Greg Stemm was the Host of the Red carpet and many glamorous attendees were present. Thanks to the wonderful committee of the Gulfport Merhcants Association who did it again with Glamor and Glitz!
(Thank you Gail Biron, City of Gulfport)
Eight Local Artists Create Geckos for Charity Auction
Geckos by Owen Pach (left) and Derrick Antell Johnson (right)
Eight large steel geckos will be the centerpiece of a live auction to benefit a planned public art installation in Gulfport’s Waterfront District.
Each of the larger-than-life steel geckos has been hand-decorated in a variety of media by local artists and will be displayed in locations throughout the Gulfport Waterfront District from Monday, August 13th until Friday, August 24th. The geckos will be up for auction during this year’s Gecko Ball on Saturday, August 25th at the historic Peninsula Inn, 2937 Beach Blvd. South in Gulfport. Doors for the event open at 6 p.m. and the party goes on until 11 p.m. Each gecko will be a prized collector’s art piece and will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist. Organizers initiated the Artists’ Gecko Auction three years ago with much success, and due to popularity, the auction is now a part of the tradition of annual Gecko-related activities in August and September.
The 11th Annual Gulfport GeckoFest was held on Saturday, September 3rd, 2011.
This whimsical send off to summer is like Mardi Gras meets the Renaissance, and brings together strolling street performers, main stage performers, performing artists and vendors with all types of weird and wonderful wares up and down Beach Blvd.
Check out the 2011 Gulfport GeckoFest photo gallery!
Over 200 arts, craft, food vendors and performing artists were in attendance!
The day culminates in Gulfport’s famous -STREET DANCE at 8:00 pm!
Bring your dancing shoes, and celebrate our 12th Anniversary!
Additional Geckofest fundraisers include:
The Geckofest Pub Crawl
The Gecko Ball is August 25, 2012. Theme this year is: “Hooray for Geckowood!”
Each of these adult only adventures and fundraisers is a $25 donation, and will support the Geckofest event.
Thank you to our 2012 GeckoFest Sponsors!
Cox Media
WDUV "The Dove" 105.5 and WXGL "The Eagle" 107.3
Truly Nolen Pest and Termite Control
49th Street South Business Association (So49)
GeckoFest Entertainment Provided by:
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GeckoFest is Proudly Presented by:
Gulfport Merchants Association
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Geckofest is a full day of fun for everyone. GLBT, Pet and Family Friendly.
A portion of proceeds from Geckofest will benefit public art installation in Gulfport’s Waterfront District.
Gulfport GeckoFest Free Parking and Troller Map
Click image for full-sized printable Free Parking and Trolley Map
For more information, please visit www.Gulfportma.com or call 727-322-5217
