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Hippies And Hipsters

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: December 14, 2008

TAMPA - Instead of braving crowded malls or hoping their online orders arrive in time, many people did their holiday shopping Saturday in support of an area radio station.

Community-supported WMNF, 88.5 FM, hosted its 11th annual Holiday Bazaar at Ybor City's Cuban Club.

"This is how we make our money, with these events," said Macy Kear, a volunteer from Sarasota. "We have a lot of loyal 'MNFers and they're the ones that keep us going year after year."

Thousands of books, records and movies were up for grabs. Some shoppers arrived well before the 10 a.m. start.

"People who donated money to the station were allowed to go in half an hour early, but we had some people lined up as early as 8:45 a.m.," volunteer Greg Chubboy said.

The bazaar began as a sale of donated records and books, but in the past three years has expanded to include arts and crafts, live music and food.

"It is zany and crazy and just plain cool," said Carrie Core, volunteer and community outreach coordinator. "It's a place where old hippies gather with young hipsters and everything in between.

"It's really grown into a major fundraiser for us the last couple of years."

Core estimated that about 2,000 people attended.

Sam Esser of Tampa has attended the event the past few years and brought his own record player this time.

"I just pull anything that sounds interesting or odd and give it a shot," Esser said. "I've gotten some amazing stuff here over the years."

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