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On a beautiful sunny Sunday, V.M. Ybor District had its VM Ybor 2012 House Tour showcasing 10 homes and businesses just north of the I-4 separation from Historic Ybor City.

Remodeled cigar and bungalow homes were on the open tour invite. A record number of people took in the tour that included and starting point the old 1908 Ybor Grammar School now Academy Prep Center of Tampa. Welcoming the home was local architect Kim Headland and a host of other community volunteers. The area is changing with the economy changing and a high interest in moving to Ybor City area. Other notable places were J.C. Newman Cigar Factory Museum building . The greatness was the four sided tour clock that people governed their time by. The location of old St Benedicts Moor School location now sits one of the relocated homes from the I-4 expansion. The historical house has many recognizing facts. One being a home of Tampa mafia kingpin, Vincent LoSacalzo. This was also the site of one of the first schools for African- Cuban students. There were laws of against teaching young Africans on Florida laws. The 1913 Florida law that was acted upon, “An Act Prohibiting White Persons from Teaching Negroes in Negroes Schools.”

All along the sidewalks is a poem embedded in the specially laid granite sidewalk by City of Tampa Laureate, James E. Tokley ,Sr.. It is on the corner of 17th Street & Columbus. Very worth while to see.

Some of the on tour homes were completely remodeled as others alongside them are in various stages of renovations. A very happening re-development area.

Congratulations to the VM Ybor Neighborhood Association on a great insight to a special area in Tampa.

After years of a Ybor City Mama Guava Parade, 24 block fenced in area of Ybor, and a cover charge to enter, this year it all changed! And to the good! More costumed characters came out and took part of the new Guavaween celebration changeover. Although the numbers aren’t in the estimated police number was up over the past years.

This year more of an adult wrist banded music venue at 8 clubs that was a huge hit for the clubs and for the Ybor Chamber of Commerce. Guavaween is an annual fundraiser for the chamber. The paid wristband let you get an entry to hear top bands perform and all the other Ybor businesses were open for a more regular Saturday night of fun and craziness.

There was a bit of confusion on whether visiting partiers had to pay an admission charge to get into Ybor City. The main charge was for the wrist bands that got you into the 8 music venue clubs. Other clubs charged accordingly.

Costume contests at Hamburger Mary’s, Honey Pot, Centro Cantina, Bradley’s on 7th and G. Bar all created over the top entertainment and grusome ghostly zombie parties. The street costume watching was just as exciting as being in any of the clubs.

It was a win, win for Ybor City!