On September 4th (2010) was Gulfport’s 10th Annual Geckofest. It was a total success with great weather, a lot of new and interesting vendors, all kinds of activities, and a wonderful turnout of visitors.
Funniest looking Geckos I have ever seen!
I made two trips down to Geckofest. The first was in the mid-afternoon during the heat of the day. I was pleasantly surprised to see a large crowd of people downtown with a lot of people heading towards the festival from outlying parking areas. It was hot, of course, being Florida on Labor Day weekend, but we had a breeze and it was not nearly as hot as last year. We were spared any rain showers this year which was a treat. Remember Geckofest 2008 when we were in the outer bands of Hurricane Gustov? We had an amazing turnout even with the torrential downpours we had throughout the day!
10th Annual Geckofest during mid-afternoon on Beach Blvd in Gulfport, FL
The big talk of the town this year about Geckofest is how the vendors were set up down the middle of the street instead on the sides as in the past. I liked it and feel it worked well. For one thing, it provided shade which kept the road from being an oven. When the street is open with full sun, it gets a bit warm, to say the least. This year the vendor tents and booths filled the street blocking a lot of the sun.
Geckofest 2010 had a spirit of silly fun and friendliness in Gulfport, FL
I think the actual purpose for having the vendors in the middle was to help open up our local businesses to Geckofest attendees. Geckofest is put on by the Gulfport Merchants Association (GMA) whose core purpose for all of these events is to help businesses along Beach Blvd thrive. A topic of discussion and planning has been how to ensure local businesses receive the most benefits from our festivals and events. In the past when the vendors were on the sides of Beach Blvd, all of the people were up and down the middle of the street. To visit our shops and restaurants, they’d be out of the main activity areas behind the vendors which never seems as pretty or fun as the main area. This year’s Geckofest changed that dramatically. While walking up and down the festival, it was natural to notice the permanent businesses along Beach Blvd.
How did this work, you ask? Well…Domain Home Accessories had their best single day ever. This is a significant moment for Gulfport! And I would not think it a stretch of the imagination to say that perhaps this fact would also mean in all of Gulfport’s history, Domain’s successful day is likely the best single day of any retail business on Beach Blvd. BINGO! For Domain Home Accessories and Gulfport!
I passed Maddy from Bo-Tiki during Geckofest and she was grinning ear-to-ear as she said, “I’m having a GREAT day at Bo-Tiki!”
Our fabulous restaurants always do well during Gulfport events, but I’ve heard a few may have set records during Geckofest 2010 also.
Gulfport Chamber of Commerce booth at Geckofest 2010
The Gulfport Chamber of Commerce plays a big role in Geckofest also, providing valuable information for new visitors to Gulfport and always lending a helping hand (many hands) during any event. Fondly called by locals as the ”Chamber Maids”, the Chamber volunteers consistently go far above and beyond the call-of-duty in this town.
Another topic for Gulfport talk has been the higher quality of vendors this year. Of course artistic quality does not get any higher than Owen Pach Glass. Owen’s work is respected world-wide.
Owen Pach at his Geckofest booth during the 10th Annual Geckofest in Gulfport, FL
Take a nice long look at this incredible bowl created by Owen:
An amazing creation by Gulfport's internationally acclaimed glass blower, Owen Pach
A photo does not even come close to showing how beautiful his work is. That is why the names of people who collect Owen Pach’s work is like a who’s who of art connoisseurs. Geckofest was truly honored to have Owen here!
I never pass by an opportunity to photograph tie-dye vendors in Gulfport. The “old hippy” element of Gulfport, which I consider myself a part of, is one of the many great flavors of this town.
Treasure Island Tie-Dyes at the 2010 Geckofest on Beach Blvd in Gulfport, FL
Of course there were plenty of food and drink vendors along Beach Blvd. during Geckofest this year.
Food vendors in Gulfport during the 10th Annual Geckofest
In the photo below, the shot is obviously of a food vendor and some people enjoying Geckofest, but look at the palm trees and sky. Was this not a gorgeous day for a Geckofest? Is Gulfport not a gorgeous place to have a festival?
Plenty of food to taste during the 2010 Geckofest in Gulfport, Florida
During the summer I introduced Gulfport to a friend who promotes festivals across the country and around the world. His immediate comment to me after he was walking around Gulfport for about an hour before I met up with him in front of the casino was, “Rob, do you have any idea how many cities that have large festivals in this country would give anything to have what you have right here?” We have tree lined Beach Blvd with cool shops and several resaturants, two beautiful waterfront parks within blocks of Beach Blvd, a nice beach, the historic Gulfport Casino, a great Rec Center, and a VERY interesting small town artsy character. (All this perspective from an hour walk around Gulfport.)
Beautiful setting on Beach Blvd. in Gulfport Florida for the 10th Annual Geckofest celebration
He told me some cities like Everglades City which has their popular Seafood Festival every year, earn more than 90% of their entire annual city budget during one event. With talk from the City of Gulfport that they are having to cut-back on events in the future, it is a perfect opportunity for private promoters to begin discussions with the city about festivals for profit that will pad Gulfport’s budget while also attracting new visitors to Gulfport. With the great testimonials from Domain Home Accessories and Bo-Tiki, it is clear that well organized festivals could be a great boost to our local economy, even during difficult times. (Just my opinion, anyway.)
So I’ll leave with that and will be back in a day or so with more photos including the Geckofest Parade.
