A close-up photograph by Del Harper showing the head of the G. Gordon McFly skateboarding gecko statue attached to a waterfront lamp post in Gulfport, Florida. Captured in profile against a bright blue sky with wispy white clouds, the vibrant green gecko sculpture features textured skin, an upturned snout, and a blue headphone earbud resting against its ear, with a rounded white light globe mounted directly behind its head.
A cropped photo showing the G. Gordon McFly skateboarding gecko statue in Gulfport, Florida on May 3, 2026. Credit: Del Harper / Shutterstock

Inspired in part by the United Kingdom’s Monster Raving Loony Party, Gulfport resident Marlene Shaw had a pretty simple vision for the seaside town’s Labor Day weekend party. She saw “music, color, costume, and characters who treated politics like performance art,” according to a new piece published in the town’s indie newspaper the Gabber.

“Somewhere between British eccentricity and American festival magic, an idea took root: a festival and parade that let Gulfport show off its downtown, its businesses, its whole delightfully whimsical self — with everyone, absolutely everyone, invited to walk in it,” she added.

Now in its 26th year, Geckofest returns this weekend and is themed as a music awards show, encouraging locals and visitors to dress like their favorite musician as festivities unfurl for 10 hours across downtown.

There’s no cover for Geckofest 2026 happening in downtown Gulfport on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Geckofest

Time Sat., Sept. 5, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 2026

Location Downtown Gulfport, 3101 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport

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This article appears in Aug. 27 – Sept. 02, 2026.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...