Lighting of the Centro Ybor Holiday Tree

    A crowd  of over 1,500+ gathered for this years Ybor City Holiday Spirit Tree Lighting. The 40′ tree was going to be lit by Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. The mayor picked up a cute young lad. Pointed and asked the boy, “Do you know who that is?” The young smiling boy said, “Yes, Santa Clause!” Then Mayor asked who is that? ” The boy said timidly, “That’s Mrs Santa Clause!!”
    Finally before turning the lights on to the decorated tree the Mayor asked, “Do you know who the Grinch is?
    The boy voiced, “Donald Trump?”
    The whole audience went wild. We will remember that tree lighting!!!

Decorating Ybor City

It truly takes a village to decorate Ybor City. There was a huge crowd of volunteers to help this 9th year. This has become a family tradition for many. One year Bonnie P was helping out. We put her 11 year old grand daughter in a big box. Then asked Bonnie to bring the box over. Everybody is still laughing at how surprised Bonnie was when her granddaughter jumped out.

Two Local Pats WIN…..

PAT FRANK WINS Hillsborough Clerk of the Circuit Courts,
         PAT KEMP WINS County Commissioner Seat 6
    Hillsborough County have 2 big Pat winners in the Tuesday election. Pat Frank was re-elected to the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Courts and Comptroller for the county beating challenger Eric Seidel, attorney & TV personality for the top court directive spot.
    Pat Kemp won Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners District 6 countywide seat over Tim Shock. That seat had been held by 2 term commissioner Kevin Beckner. Kevin who was elected in 2008 and was the first gay elected county commissioner. He worked hard for 8 years in the whole community. Hard working candidate kemp, an attorney, said she will continue to lead in Beckner’s shoes

 

March of the Pumpkin King

    It was a very successful 1st year for the March of the Pumpkin King in Ybor City Saturday night. 100’s of people were in the parade and on floats. Even more packed the sidewalks to cheer everybody on.
    Here are just some of the fun and scary photos.

Masquerade Ball by Balance Tampa Bay

    Balance Tampa Bay did another astounding Masquerade Ball Charity event at District 3 last Saturday nite. The lines of revelers continued around the corner to get in. Outfits were glamorous to eye brow discreet. The 2nd year for the special late summer event benefited Francis House for all they contribute and do for the community.
    On the dance music spinning table was famed lookin good DJCK. A night of great Salsa entertainers, dancers and meeting old and new friends.
    Balance Tampa Bay is an LGBTA volunteer organization founded in 2011 with the mission to promote Fellowship, Fun and Philanthropy throughout the LGBT community and Tampa Bay as a whole.