Springfest & Easter Bonnet Parade/Competition
15th Annual Spring Fest, Saturday, March 27
The Spring Fest event is free to the public and hundreds of vendors featuring
a wide variety of arts, crafts, children’s activities and more have already
signed up to participate. Additionally, food vendors will offer an array of
culinary delights to enjoy. Live professional entertainment is scheduled to
perform on two stages all day. Additionally, other venues downtown such as
the Art Village Courtyard, 2902A Beach Blvd. S., will also feature music and
Live demonstrations at the Industrial Arts Center. Even Captain Tut and his Crew
of Pirate Parrots and the Pinellas Suncoast Parrot Sanctuary Inc. will be at Spring Fest!
Youth Chalk Art Competition, 10 a.m.
The Gulfport Chamber of Commerce presents the first annual Springfest
Youth Chalk Art Competition, at the 2800 block of Beach Blvd. Check in time
is 10 a.m. Team Gulfport believes that creating art together celebrates
diversity by bridging communities so please join us as we come together
for this fun-filled art contest. Competition is open to youth ages old enough
to hold the chalk to 18 years of age and there is no application fee. To
register, please visit the Chamber information booth in front of the
Peninsula Inn and Spa, 2937 Beach Blvd. S., the day of the event.
Registration will be limited to 40 Artists. Judging will begin at approximately
2:30 in the afternoon with an award presentation to follow at approximately
3:00 p.m.
Dog Safety Talk @ 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Kids are encouraged to visit Lisa Lombardo from k9connection as she will
be talking about dog safety. Lisa will have her dogs, Griffen and Gus, who
are certified therapy dogs. You can find Lisa’s tent in front of Lafogata at
2832 Beach Blvd. S.
Spring Bonnet Parade & Hat Contest. At 4 p.m.
Contest participants are encouraged to create their own hat masterpieces
and attend the festivities with simple materials and some creativity.
Hats can be fancy, fashionable, weird, cartooned, kitschy or themed.
Any materials may be used. No Registration is necessary, and there is no fee to
participate. Simply show up for the parade at 4 pm and line up in front
of the main stage afterwards. Participants will be judged during the
parade at 4 p.m. and the winners will be announced immediately following
at the main stage in front of the Casino. Prizes will be given in the following
categories: Judges' Favorite, Biggest Hat, Most Creative, Best Pet Hat and
"Seriously?”. Prizes will include donated items or gift certificates from area
merchants. Gulfport Chamber of Commerce Volunteers will judge the
winners.
For more information about the Gulfport Springfest Event,
please contact the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce at 727-344-3711 or
vendors call Suzanne King at 727-322-5217.