2015-09-05......Geckofest,Gulfport,Fl.
GECKOFEST What is this event called GECKOFEST? Each year, Gulfport celebrates the end of summer with its largest festival of the year, dedicated to the town’s unofficial mascot and favorite reptile. Geckofest has grown to become one of Tampa Bay’s most anticipated events of the season. Live music and vendors throughout the village are all part of the fun. Strolling and stationary street performers are now also a hallmark of the Geckofest tradition. Geckofest offers a fun-filled opportunity to explore Gulfport, a wonderful slice of “Old Florida” on one of its most colorful days of the year. The theme for this year’s Gecko events is “Gecko Gras." Show off your costume or just your Gecko spirit by joining the traditional afternoon Geckofest Walking Parade, the “Zyde-Geck-O Second Line!” Bring your parasols and wave your white hankies in the air led by the Gecko Queen and her Court. The parade leaves promptly at 6PM from Gulfport’s Historic Casino. Attendees are encouraged to develop costumes relating to Mardi Gras, or geckos, or a creative combination of the two. A costume contest immediately following the parade will offer an opportunity to win prizes for some of the day’s best ensembles for adults and for kids. Amid the thousands of festival-goers, hundreds of vendors and dozens of live musicians, expect to come face to face with acrobats, aerialists, break dancers, escape artists, magicians, jugglers, fire performers and more, creating an interactive circus atmosphere throughout the waterfront village. All festivities take place on Beach Boulevard in Gulfport from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Geckofest admission is gratis and the event is pet and family-friendly. Themed music will entertain the Geckofest throngs all day long and the famous Geckofest street dance will close out the day with a party in the streets. Parking and Trolley rides for GeckoFest are complimentary. The Trolley offers visitors an opportunity to park in off-site locations for transportation to and from their vehicle and the festival site. The event takes place in the surrounding area of 3129 Beach, Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL 33707.
The theme for this year’s festival is “Gecko Gras!”
Join in the spirit of New Orleans if you wish and arrive in costume with your Mardi Gras finest. Or feel free to “geckofy” yourself. The GeckoFest wacky walking parade invites everyone to join in at 6:00. A costume contest for kids and adults will take place after the parade.
The festival will be flanked by two stages offering music throughout the day and night.
The line-up for 2015 includes hours of lively tunes from singers and bands including the Hot Tub Club (featuring Gulfport’s own Mayor and First Lady), Yard Dog Charlie, Joel and Dakota, the Southern Road Dog Band, and Gumbo Boogie.
To help you put your NOLA moves together, Cajun dance lessons will be offered to the crowd by Jim Hance twice during the day.
In support of our area’s youth, GeckoFest will also present BlueRose, Competitive Edge Dance Company and Project Free’s Rising Stars.
GeckoFest ends on a high note each year with its ever-popular, high-energy street dances at both stages starting at 8:00.
GeckoFest’s strolling and stationary street performers bring fun, thrills and a circus atmosphere to the village with a chance to get close to the action.
Entertainers will make you laugh, gasp and applaud. Step right up and participate in a magic trick. Witness extreme stunts happening just a few feet away. Tie up an escape artist and watch him maneuver out of his bonds. Pose for photos with your favorite characters. Take home your own free, fanciful balloon creation.
This year’s street performers include past favorites and brand new ones.
Father-son duo Dallas and Nick are reprising their amazing feats of fire juggling and escape artistry.
The Amazing Kenny returns with his mixture of stilt-walking, juggling, fire-eating and ballooning.
Comedy/stunt artist George Gilbert creates both laughter and wow-worthy daredevilry.
Crazy Indy climbs into his Cyr wheel to perform outlandish acrobatic feats.
Magician Rafael Villa amazes crowds with sleight of hand.
Other jugglers, magicians, acrobats, face painters, dancers and aerialists will be on hand throughout the festival area.
Favorite costumed characters will be roving the village ready to pose for your photos, including pirate “Captain Jack,” the Transformers’ “Bumblebee,” Ivy “Michael Jackson” King, the “O-Fish-Al” Gecko Goddess, as well as “living statues,” more pirates, fairies, sparkly Mardi Gras revelers and giant geckos.
Parking for GeckoFest is free.
Free shuttles also offer visitors an opportunity to park in off-site locations for transportation to and from their vehicle and the festival site. For more information on GeckoFest, directions and parking go to http://www.GeckoFest.com. Like the Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/GeckoFest. GeckoFest offers a fun-filled opportunity to explore quirky Gulfport, a wonderful slice of “Old Florida,” on one of its most colorful days of the year.
Read MoreThe theme for this year’s festival is “Gecko Gras!”
Join in the spirit of New Orleans if you wish and arrive in costume with your Mardi Gras finest. Or feel free to “geckofy” yourself. The GeckoFest wacky walking parade invites everyone to join in at 6:00. A costume contest for kids and adults will take place after the parade.
The festival will be flanked by two stages offering music throughout the day and night.
The line-up for 2015 includes hours of lively tunes from singers and bands including the Hot Tub Club (featuring Gulfport’s own Mayor and First Lady), Yard Dog Charlie, Joel and Dakota, the Southern Road Dog Band, and Gumbo Boogie.
To help you put your NOLA moves together, Cajun dance lessons will be offered to the crowd by Jim Hance twice during the day.
In support of our area’s youth, GeckoFest will also present BlueRose, Competitive Edge Dance Company and Project Free’s Rising Stars.
GeckoFest ends on a high note each year with its ever-popular, high-energy street dances at both stages starting at 8:00.
GeckoFest’s strolling and stationary street performers bring fun, thrills and a circus atmosphere to the village with a chance to get close to the action.
Entertainers will make you laugh, gasp and applaud. Step right up and participate in a magic trick. Witness extreme stunts happening just a few feet away. Tie up an escape artist and watch him maneuver out of his bonds. Pose for photos with your favorite characters. Take home your own free, fanciful balloon creation.
This year’s street performers include past favorites and brand new ones.
Father-son duo Dallas and Nick are reprising their amazing feats of fire juggling and escape artistry.
The Amazing Kenny returns with his mixture of stilt-walking, juggling, fire-eating and ballooning.
Comedy/stunt artist George Gilbert creates both laughter and wow-worthy daredevilry.
Crazy Indy climbs into his Cyr wheel to perform outlandish acrobatic feats.
Magician Rafael Villa amazes crowds with sleight of hand.
Other jugglers, magicians, acrobats, face painters, dancers and aerialists will be on hand throughout the festival area.
Favorite costumed characters will be roving the village ready to pose for your photos, including pirate “Captain Jack,” the Transformers’ “Bumblebee,” Ivy “Michael Jackson” King, the “O-Fish-Al” Gecko Goddess, as well as “living statues,” more pirates, fairies, sparkly Mardi Gras revelers and giant geckos.
Parking for GeckoFest is free.
Free shuttles also offer visitors an opportunity to park in off-site locations for transportation to and from their vehicle and the festival site. For more information on GeckoFest, directions and parking go to http://www.GeckoFest.com. Like the Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/GeckoFest. GeckoFest offers a fun-filled opportunity to explore quirky Gulfport, a wonderful slice of “Old Florida,” on one of its most colorful days of the year.
