No motorized floats at Ybor City Guavaween Halloween parade upsets local krewes

TAMPA — The Mama Guava Stumble Parade, Guavaween's main event, is getting rid of all motorized floats this year, riling local krewes that are considering a boycott.

Participants can still march, crawl, stilt, bike — anything but roll in a motorized vehicle — in the annual Halloween tradition that has drawn tens of thousands to Ybor City for more than 20 years.

Organizers say the change is aimed at cutting costs associated with cleanup, security and erecting and removing parade barriers. But it also was made to revive old traditions, encourage more participation and boost attendance, which has dropped from more than 50,000 spectators about five years ago to about 30,000 last year.

"I think you often lose some of the authenticity of the events when you forget their roots," said Tom Keating, president of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce. "We want this to be a sophisticated celebration."

Some Tampa krewes, mainstays at most city parades, say there's now no point in them participating in Guavaween.

"All the krewes are backing out of Guavaween because of the float situation and are going down to Fantasy Fest in Key West," said Randy Conte, past baron of the Krewe of Sant'Yago.

The Mama Guava Stumble Parade began in 1985 as a small march led by costumed artists and actors. Over the years it grew into a rolling procession of extravagant floats with a raucous reputation that has attracted some and disgusted others.

Keating said the changes weren't made for safety — he said the parade is safer than Tampa Bay Buccaneer tailgating events — or because of insurance costs, since krewes carry their own insurance. The new direction seems more aligned with an Ybor City that wants to move away from being a loud, isolated nightclub district to a kinder, gentler neighborhood of bars and restaurants that encourages community and cultural interaction.

"It gets back to converting the parade into a more arts-, Ybor-oriented event," said Vince Pardo, manager of the Ybor City Development Corp.

Event promoters have told the Historic Ybor Neighborhood Association that tickets to the nighttime parade will be available at almost half-price for Ybor residents. Meanwhile, the Family Fun Fest that includes children's trick or treating in the hours before the night parade will be a free event for the first time.

Guavaween organizers say they hope the changes promote a more free-flowing event. Keating said people should be able to move in and out of Seventh Avenue bars and businesses more easily without the parade barricades, which had cost up to $10,000 to set up and tear down.

"I love that, because in the past it's really cut into my sales," said Don Barco, owner of King Corona Cigars.

But Barco said he also has mixed feelings since the event will be considerably scaled down, something he reluctantly accepts during the recession.

Other businesses on the main drag have stronger feelings.

"We hate it," Amanda Coots, manager of Gaspar's Grotto, said of the ban on motorized floats. "The main reason that we're upset is because of tradition. That's how it's always been. We've always had floats."

Paradegoers who aren't Ybor residents will pay $2 more for tickets this year, which will cost $17 each. And Coots said they'll be getting fewer beads, floats and sights.

Carrie Foegen, director of corporate partnerships for parade organizer C.C. Event Productions, disagrees.

The cost to march in the parade has been waived to draw more groups, she said. And creativity will be rewarded with prizes for costumed revelers who have the best Guavaween spirit, best political commentary, tackiest outfit, best in show, worst in show and several other categories.

Todd Bray, founder of the Krewe of Fort Brooke, said his organization will give it a try.

"We're not going to abandon Ybor," he said.

His krewe hopes to throw a backyard party near the parade route that will serve as a kind of float for members.

"A float in the parade is like a floating base," he said. "You got your bathroom onboard. You have your whiskey, you have your beer, you have your mixers.

"Without all that, you're basically part of the crowd, so I can see why people would say they're not going to be in it. It's very convenient to have a float."

"I guess if they don't go," he said of other krewes, "they just don't want to be on the other side."

Justin George can be reached at (813) 226-3368 or jgeorge@sptimes.com.