The St. Petersburg Festival of States, one of the South's largest civic celebrations, shows off the city's best for 10 days. Organizers say that 200,000-plus people come out to enjoy the festival's family-friendly events and cross their fingers for the type of weather that the Chamber of Commerce brags about in its brochures.
In its 81st year, the festival runs April 5-14, featuring two parades, concerts, antique car shows, high school marching band competitions, arts and crafts shows, kids' activities, fireworks and more.
The following are a few of the highlights. Note: Not all of these events are free.
The Tampa Bay Blues Festival (see cover story) takes place in Vinoy Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 5-7. Headliners include North Mississippi Allstars, Little feat and Ike Turner (see interview by Eric Snider). Tickets cost $20 to $25 depending on the day, $50 for a three-day pass.
The Salvador Dali Chalk Art Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 6, on the grounds of the Salvador Dali Museum. Amateur and student artists of every ilk can create their own surreal masterpieces on a portion of newly paved Third Street South and on the sidewalks surrounding the museum.
St. Anthony's Hospital hosts the Strike Up the Band Field Show Spectacular at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at Florida Power Park. The show includes performances by middle school, high school and college marching bands, as well as the U.S. Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corp and the Second Time Arounders. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for children and teens 18 and younger.
The TradeWinds Resort Festival Parade takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 13, with more than 100 floats. The parade runs east on Central Avenue to Bayshore Drive then north to Vinoy Park. The Florida Power SunFest follows the parade in Vinoy Park. SunFest includes The Final Three three-on-three basketball competition (open to all age groups), a continuous music stage, a pedestal joust, bouncy boxing, a rock climbing wall and a bungee ride. All SunFest events are free.
Vinoy Park is on Bayshore Drive North, St. Petersburg. The Salvador Dali Museum is at 1000 Third St. S., St Petersburg. All events are within walking distance of downtown St. Petersburg.
For a complete schedule, call 727-898-3654 or visit: www.festivalofstates.com.
This article appears in Apr 3-9, 2002.
