Your letters and in-person presentations made the difference. We will now need to keep up the pressure to ensure funding is sought after and the Greenway project moves forward. Updates to come.
Tony LaColla
HYNCA President
“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total; of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” – JFK
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“THE LIZARD OF OZ” Comes To Gulfport
GULFPORT, FL: Gulfport’s annual Gecko Ball returns on Saturday, August 27th. THE LIZARD OF OZ is the light-hearted theme of this year’s festivities. The Ball will be held at the historic Peninsula Inn & Spa, 2937 Beach Blvd. The party starts at 7 p.m. and lasts until 11 p.m. The Gecko Ball is an annual event leading up to the 11th annual Gecko Fest, Gulfport’s largest and most beloved street festival to be held this year on Saturday, September 3rd.
THE LIZARD OF OZ will be a celebration befitting Gulfport’s quirky, funky, artistic nature. Larger than life décor will evoke the colorful Land of Oz. A full dinner buffet for the occasion will conjure elements of Oz charm and scenery. Drink specials including Geckotinis and Ruby Slippers will be on tap. Live music by Kevin Wilder and his Yellow Brick Roadies will keep party-goers on their feet. Oz-related characters and activities will offer surprises throughout the evening. Back by popular demand, this year’s photo booth will offer commemorative photos of party-goers posed in front of Oz backdrops. Silent auctions will also be held during the Ball, featuring gift certificates, art work and merchandise from local businesses and artists. Seven large steel geckos, each decorated by a local artist, will be the centerpiece of a live auction during the event. Costumes are encouraged, but not mandatory. Go for the Oz angle, something Gecko-ish, or combine the two! A costume contest will determine the best ensembles of the evening.
Tickets for THE LIZARD OF OZ are $25 each and are available in advance at these Gulfport businesses: The Outpost (3007 Beach Blvd.), Domain Home Accessories (3129 Beach Blvd.), and T & Me Tea Co. (2908 ½ Beach Blvd. in the Art Village Courtyard). Tickets may also be purchased online with a credit or debit card at www.GulfportMA.com. Discounted accommodations packages for ball-goers, including tickets to THE LIZARD OF OZ, are available at the Peninsula Inn & Spa (727-346-9800) and Sea Breeze Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn (727-343-4445).
The fourth annual Gecko Fest Pub Crawl is another event in the line-up of festivities leading to Gecko Fest. The Pub Crawl will be held on Saturday, August 13th, beginning 3pm. For one $25 ticket, pub crawlers will be able to enjoy one beverage at each of nine bars and restaurants in Gulfport and St. Pete Beach. Free trolley rides between Gulfport and St. Pete Beach will be available. Pub Crawl tickets are on sale at The Outpost (3007 Beach Blvd.) and On the Rocks (5413 Shore Blvd.) in Gulfport, and Swigwam (336 Corey Ave.) in St. Pete Beach.
All events are sponsored by the Gulfport Merchants Association. A portion of proceeds from the Gecko Ball, Gecko Fest Pub Crawl and Gecko Fest will benefit a planned public art installation in Gulfport’s Waterfront District.
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