We’re known as the Big Guava even though we’re not the best spot in Florida to grow the beefy pink fruit. Are you really surprised Ybor City used to host a signature event called Guavaween?
The very first Guavaween was an “Ybor City Chamber of Commerce-backed fundraiser for a local theater company” themed around our moniker “The Big Guava,” according to Bay News 9.
What was it like?
There was a parade — The Mama Guava Stumble Parade — down the brick streets led by Mama Guava i.e. a local actress outfitted like a “1980s version of Carmen Miranda resplendent in a green, and a guava-studded leotard,” according to Cigar City Magazine.
As the years passed, the late October party swelled to massive proportions, with the parade, music festival, and ensuing festivities drawing in as many as 80,000 costumed-people, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Halloween, Samhain, and the eve of Día de los Muertos, which takes place tomorrow, Nov. 1-Sunday, Nov. 2. Whether you’re decorating for trick-or-treaters, preparing an ofrenda, or just going about business as usual, check out these terrifying tales local to us in Tampa Bay.
Announced
What’s going up in St. Pete Beach? The St. Pete Beach City Commission just approved Corey Landings. The new mixed-use project will feature 133 condo units, 11,000 sqft of retail and restaurant space, a park, and a dock. Where at? The towers will rise at the east end of Corey Avenue. (St. Pete Rising)
Development
Hillsborough is making big changes to its Corridor Preservation Plan — which hasn’t been updated in 15 years. And leaders want your feedback. Share your travel habits, experiences, and opinion on proposed plans for local roadways until the end of November. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Eat
Some of our favorite Tampa Bay eateries shuttered recently. Luckily, Chef Eric Hipol is keeping some of their standout dishes alive. He’s documenting and sharing recipes for popular dishes from spots like Fly Bar, King of the Coop, and Ella’s Americana Folk Art Café on Reddit. Peek at Hipol’s Recipe Preservation Project. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Try This
Don’t forget to set your clocks back — Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, ushering in brighter mornings and earlier sunsets. Need help adjusting to the change? Enjoying a sun-soaked morning at a local coffee shop should do the trick.
Seasonal
The most famous Christmas tree in the US has been chosen. A 75-year-old Norway Spruce will light up New York City’s Rockefeller Center this upcoming holiday season, donated by a family from upstate NY. Soon enough, we’ll be hunting for the perfect tree of our own at Gallagher’s in St. Pete. (NBC)
Sports
Kyle Tucker’s free agency remains a distant dream. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Rays with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Biz
Do you need hiring help? We’ve got your back. Post your open roles on our Job Board + get connected with local candidates in no time. Pssst — did we mention it’s free?
The Buy
The Shark Matrix IQ Robot Vacuum that’s 40% off for a limited time. Psst — that’s a savings of $120. The Buy Editor Emily loves its precision home mapping technology that results in a more thorough clean on multiple surfaces.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
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