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Reveling In Mama: Guavaween Rolls Along

Tribune photo by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

Kenny Borum of Crystal River, 11 feet tall on stilts, walks along 7th Avenue during the Guavaween festivities in Ybor City.

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

cwade@tampatrib.com

Published: October 25, 2008

Updated: 10/25/2008 11:44 pm

TAMPA - The Mama Guava Stumble Parade lived up to its madcap legacy Saturday night as thousands of creatures staggered down Ybor City's crowded Seventh Avenue.

Hordes of costumed revelers meandered through the historic Latin district as spectators cheered them on from packed sidewalks and overflowing balconies.

It was all part of the Guavaween street party, a rollicking rite of the Halloween season. About 100,000 people clogged the streets for the event's 23rd year, which included children's events earlier in the day, as well as music, food and alcohol.

The parade, led by Mama Guava and her daughters, the Guavettes, featured 49 floats that carried everything from ghosts and ghouls to dancing cigars to a swing band.

For many, people-watching is Guavaween's real attraction.

"The costumes are amazing," said Jess Winter of Tampa. "Never seen anything like it."

Steve and Erika Anderson, who were visiting from upstate New York, heard about the event and decided to check it out. They left their two children with a friend.

"This is crazy," Steve said. "Next year we're definitely going to be in the parade."

Guavaween is a fundraiser for the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce. The event, which funds roughly 70 percent of the chamber's budget, raised about $100,000 last year.

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