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Guavaween, the annual Halloween block party throughout Ybor City, will be stripped of an essential component when it comes to town later this year. The Mama Guava Stumble Parade will not be a part of the 2012 Guavaween festivities.
According to the Tampa Tribune, the City of Tampa can no longer afford the $45,000 it takes to co-sponsor the event alongside the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce. The chamber had requested financial aid from the city in the form of security from Tampa police, installation of parade barriers, and clean-up after the parade for this year’s event.
With no parade, many are wondering what Guavaween 2012 will actually be like. Officials for the annual celebration plan to reveal the details on this year’s upcoming Guavaween celebration next week which will include the famous Guavaween costume contest and a new, indoor music festival.
If it will be anything like Guavaween 2012 officials say it will be, the music festival could be a big hit. Organizers are hoping to create a district-wide music festival much like Tropical Heatwave where a handful of acts play at multiple venues scattered all throughout Ybor.
But, can it replace the void that the absence of the Mama Guava Stumble Parade will leave? Only time will tell. Let us know how you think how the upcoming 2012 Guavaween celebration in Ybor City will be in the comments section below.
