A surprise Markie moment for his birthday. A trip to the 450 year old recently celebrated city and oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine. This is the city that Juan Ponce de Leon told the world about the “Famous Fountain of Youth” water springs. A small historic city made up of a Spanish fortress 42 years before  Jamestown, Virginia and fifty-five years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. The park is now a National Park. Then it became more famous in 1860s by Florida East Coast Railroad tycoon, land developer and co-founding partner of Standard Oil Company with the Rockefellers, Henry M. Flagler. He wanted better and higher standard accommodations for the wealthy traveling clients.

    Henry Flagler, who only had only an 8th grade education, is also known as the father of both Palm Beach and Miami.  The many affluent St Augustine Hotels Flagler had commissioned to be built in the swampy lowlands were designed for the very wealthy and truly were opulent. His decadent hotels include 540 room Ponce de Leon Hotel (now Flagler College), the Alcazar Hotel and the recently restored Casa Monica Hotel all in St Augustine and the Breakers Hotel Complex in Palm Beach.

    We stayed at the “At Journey’s End Bed & Breakfast” right on the Cedar Ave historic B&B district. Owner, Tim greeted us along with his side kick dog, Morgan. The only open gay bed & breakfast in St. Augustine. Great accommodations, outdoor settings, afternoon wine and the hand made breakfasts were delicious!

 There are so many museums that are an extreme variety to man and mankind to take in and explore.

    We started at the Pirate Museum right across from the waterfront historic fort, Castillo de San Marcos.  Mel Fisher’s multi-million dollar under water shipwrecked salvages and items from hundred year old sunken treasures are on display. 1800-1900 period pieces are in the famed 4 story Lightner Museum which is in the back half of the gorgeous Alcazar Hotel and the front half for St Augustine City offices.

An easy way to get around is by the Old Town Trolleys that take you to over 20 stops. You can get on or off as you like and run continuously every 20 minutes to the many stops.. So we had to go and see Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum at the old Warden Hotel. The old city jail is right next door.

    On the stop was the newly Florida law changed distillery, The St Augustine Distillery for FREE tasting’s. This is the first distillery to open since Gov. Scott had the laws changed in Florida 3 years ago allowing distilleries back in operations in Florida. It is in the old Ice Plant and have a great farm to restaurant food selections next door. So many great places to take in on the cobblestone and brick streets.

    Across the #4 famed Bridge of Lion made of marble and over the intercoastal waterway  is Anastasia State Park 1600 acres of pristine beach and exotic plant and wildlife.

    Kick off your shoes and have a historical sit back feel to the East Coast City of St Augustine.

    The National GLBT Come Out Day is October 11th. That is no coincidence that Orlando’s Pride event raptures the beautiful hot and misty fall day with its annual Come Out With Pride events hosted by Orlando’s Metropolitan Business Association. The organization is similar to the local Tampa Bay’s GaYBOR District Coalition and Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s. A COWP Pride line-up this year included a special 5k Run, Street Block party, Weekend Brunch, Market Festival around the lake and the huge parade that wraps around Orlando’s downtown Lake Eola.

    Over 150,000 from around the country shared the spirit of the fun fall Central Florida weekend. This years exciting news was the Equality Marriage that issue was stamped “Yes and Equal” from the U.S. Supreme Court. What a difference years makes! 100 of marriages took place over the weekend.

    The entertainment was divided and shared at over 5 different locations around the lake. The areas included; Disney, City of Orlando, 2 big stages on the lake and the Zebra Coalition. All had local individual and singing groups, Orlando Gay Chorus, bands and a wide variety of local DJ’s spinning to keep the activities upbeat.

    Thousands of Tampa Bay residents who were at the Pride Festivities stopped by to say hello to TAMPA Pride at our sponsoring booth. TAMPA PRIDE also had a wild colorful float in the daytime parade.

Since 1989 Sarasota has held its Sarasota PrideFest at many locations. This year it will be held this Saturday, October 17th Noon to 6 pm at the downtown 2 Marina Plaza. Right along side the waterfront. The expo will have a hundred area vendors, food trucks and live entertainment.

TAMPA PRIDE will be supporting this Corridor of Pride events with a booth. Stop by and see us.

    TAMPA PRIDE Meeting is Tuesday, October 20th in the large Conference room at Hampton Inn, Ybor at 6pm. Have ideas? Please come and get involved for what is happening for TAMPA Pride for March 26, 2016.

Everyone is Welcome to Attend!

Fantasma Fest is an annual event dedicated to uniting the community to celebrate Ybor City’s music, food and culture. This years event takes place Saturday October 24th and Sunday October 25th and features The Little Monster’s Pumpkin Patch and Promenade, The Big Monster’s Bed Race, and The Classic Car & Vintage Motorcycle Show.

EVENT DETAILS:

SATURDAY OCT 24TH:

11am- 3pm
Little Monster’s Pumpkin Patch at Centro Ybor

This year we are proud to give away over 2500 pumpkins!!!
Each child will be able to decorate the pumpkin and also receive a tote and map to trick or treat at over 30 locations in ybor while supplies to last.
Live entertainment and Fall Family Photo Opportunities.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1650634315202417/

3pm- 5pm
Big Monster’s Bed Race on 7th Ave.

The big monsters bed race follows the little monsters pumpkin patch and is a fantasmafest production. Our main sponsor this year is Coppertail Brewery and there is also co-sponsorship from the YCDC. Several area businesses and city officials will race their beds down seventh avenue drag race tournement style for Ybor pride, bragging rights and the coveted trophy which stays with the winner for a year until it’s time to battle once again. This fun spirited race has grown over the years and this year we are hoping to have our biggest turnout yet. Spectators are encouraged to come out cheer on their favorite team and dress to impress!!!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1541680889440254/

SUNDAY OCTOBER 25TH:

2pm-5pm
The Halloween Classic Car & Vintage Motorcycle Show

7th avenue will be closed from 17th to 19th street and will be full of classic cars and vintage bikes. Bring your Classic car or Vintage Bike to Tampa’s Historic District and Ybor’s 7th avenue voted one of America’s 10 best streets. Prizes,raffle,auction-all proceeds to benefit veterans charities.Unique opportunity to display your beauty for a good cause.

https://www.facebook.com/events/847650682017919/