For the past 20 years, thousands of people from all over the state have flocked to Ybor City to celebrate the puzzling union between José Gaspar and a scrub palmetto. Guavaween is here once again, so don your wigs, slather on the goop and head out to any of the many guava-related events.
GuavaEve
GuavaEve takes place from 7 p.m. to midnight on Fri., Oct. 29. This masquerade ball is a "Getting Back to the Roots" celebration with Mama Guava and the entire Guava family loafing about while guests enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres, a costume contest, the "Dungeon of Delight," tarot card and palm readings, apple bobbing and more. A social hour takes place from 7 to 8 p.m. with complimentary cocktails.
($30 per person/$50 per couple; Czar, 1420 Seventh Ave. E., Tampa.)
Guavaween Family FunFest
The Family FunFest is packed with activities for everyone and features continuous entertainment on three separate stages: Southwest Airlines Stage in Centennial Park, Eighth Avenue and 18th Street; Mix 100.7 Stage at Centro Ybor, Eighth Avenue, between 15th and 17th streets; and the Disney 1380 Family Fun stage at Centro Ybor, Seventh Avenue and 16th Street. Other highlights include a Lil' Mama and Papa Guava look-alike contest (10:30 a.m.); Mix 100.7's Safe Trick-or-Treat (11 a.m.-1 p.m.); a Silly Scavenger Hunt (noon-2 p.m.); the Florida Family Magazine Mural Contest (noon-3 p.m.); Creatures of Delight's Create-A-Creature workshops (noon-4 p.m.); and Spooky Story Time (2-2:30 p.m.). Families can also enjoy carnival rides, games, displays by area attractions, interactive sports exhibits and more. Don't miss the "Guava Love It" cooking contest at 4 p.m. ($500 prize, Centro Ybor stage).
($3 general admission; children 6 and younger enter free.)
Mama Guava Stumble Parade
Mama Guava leads a procession of floats, drunken pirates and marching bands down Seventh Avenue beginning at 6:30 p.m. The parade moves west on Seventh to 14th Street (Republica de Cuba), turns north, then eases its way east on Ninth Avenue, before finally working its way to 19th Street for disbanding.
Guavaween: An Evening of Costumed Carousing
The festivities begin after 4 p.m. and include the Features Costume contest (first place wins $2,000 cash), live music on multiple stages (see the Music feature for a complete listing of bands), and much, much more. Ladies, handcuff yourself to you partner/friends, and don't leave your drinks unattended (safety first, ya know?).
Advance Guavaween tickets can be purchased at Features Costumes for $9 (3015 W. Barcelona, Tampa, or 6585 Haines Road, St. Petersburg); general admission at the gate is $12 per person. For parking information, please visit www.cc-events.org/gw.
—Leilani Polk
This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 1, 2004.