More than 350 local makers and small businesses are coming together at St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park (701 Bayshore Dr NE) on Thanksgiving Weekend for LocalShops1’s Shopapalooza Festival. The 2-day extravaganza celebrates local businesses, local arts, local tastes, local music, and the local vibe that makes Tampa Bay such a special place.
The free community festival takes place on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 from 10 am to 5 pm. With more than 350 local makers and small businesses participating, Shopapalooza is expected to be the biggest Small Business Saturday (and Sunday!) celebration in the nation, Shopapalooza is a fun and easy way for families to do kick off their holiday dreams while shopping, drinking, dining and supporting local makers and small businesses.
A complete list of the 350 + participating businesses is available at shopapaloozafestival.com. Admission to Shopapalooza is free and open to the public. Registration is not required, but those who do sign up are entered into a free drawing for a $500 shopping spree. There will be one winner each day. The event, co-sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg, is family-friendly and well-behaved pets on leashes are welcomed.
Free trolley rides to and from Shopapalooza will be available 9:30am-6 pm Nov 30 and Dec. 1 from South Core Garage, Second St S between Central Avenue & First Ave. and Vinoy Park (at 7th Ave NE & Bayshore Drive).
“It’s now more important than ever to come out and support our local makers and small businesses. Several participating vendors experienced major damages to their homes, shops, or even both. A couple had catastrophic damage, but they will still be there at this year’s event. Shopapalooza Festival kicks off the holiday shopping season by celebrating the great independent businesses that make Tampa Bay such an amazing place,” says Ester Venouziou, LocalShops1 and Shopapalooza founder. “The local business in our community continue to go above and beyond, and if we want them to stick around, it’s time for us all to give back and support them as much as we can. Check out over 11.3 acres filled with pure local awesomeness,” Most vendor spaces are filled.
HERE IS WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Free Admission!
- 350+ Local Shops, Artists, Makers and local Nonprofits, featuring gourmet food products, home decor, handcrafted jewelry, clothing and accessories, health and beauty products, fair trade goods, vintage finds, pet treats and toys, books, candles and more. Many booths will offer BOGOs, holiday specials, and new merchandise not yet available elsewhere. The vendor lineup will be available at shopapaloozafestival.com starting Nov 1. This year’s nonprofit partners are St. Pete Youth Farm and Jump for Kids.
- Four food halls each featuring snacks, drinks, entrees and desserts for everyone. Selections from more than 40 restaurants, bakeries and food trucks include options for vegans and carnivores, and whether looking to stay healthy or indulge!
- Local Beer Garden with all proceeds going directly to nonprofit Jump for Kids.
- $500 Shopping Spree for a lucky shopper each day! It is FREE to enter this raffle. Registration is required and the winner must be present to receive a prize. Visit www.shopapaloozafestival.com/win-500.html for details!
- Kids Zone organized by Sensory Studio features crafts, play and learning stations, photo opportunities with Princesses and Santa, music playtime and more. The section also includes food and dessert trucks, animal rescues, and vendors specializing in gifts for children and parents.
- Main Stage features local bands and performers throughout the weekend. Plus, additional entertainment throughout the park!
- Santa Rampage, Parade and Costume Contest will take place Shopapalooza Day 2 (Sunday, December 1). Details coming closer to the event.
- Ink the Bay Zone, featuring live art demonstrations and hands-on experiences
- 10,000-square foot Glam Outdoor Lounge by VPN Studios.
Shopapalooza Festival is produced by LocalShops1 and co-sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg. Our nonprofit partners are Jump for Kids and St Pete Youth Farm. Sponsors include:
Gold level
Florida Blue, Kitchens Today, Leaf Filter, Momentum Solar, Cellular Sales, T-Mobile Fiber, Farkas Chiropractic Clinic, and Craft Body Scan;
Silver level
All American Gutter Protection, B Fresh Gear, Beach Sand Babe Jewelry, CocoRoo Natural Skincare, Forever Sticky, Gulf Coast Custom Designs, Hello Sweeteez Freeze Dried Candy and More, Morgan Exteriors, Renewal by Andersen, St Pete 420, The Vinyl Image, Westgate Resorts Marketing, Arnold Jewelers, Curated Phases, Florida Roofing Co. + Custom Copper Creations, New Hotel Collection Furman Marketing, The Honey Couple, Alpha Maui;
Media and marketing partners
I Love the Burg, MOR Tampa Bay, WMNF, Radio St. Pete, St. Pete Rising, GoLive Tampa Bay and That’s So Tampa;
In-kind sponsors and section partners
SIK Promotions, Island Flavors And Tings, VPN Studio, The Rustic Avenue Bar, Sensory Studio, Ink the Bay, Moorman Photographics, Luxe Flush and St Pete Shopping Co.;
Beer Garden Sponsors
3 Daughters Brewing Mastry’s Brewing Co., Bob Lee’s Tire Pros, Compass Land & Title and Good Night John Boy.
ABOUT LOCALSHOPS1 + SHOPAPALOOZA FESTIVAL
LocalShops1, launched in 2008, is Tampa Bay’s source for all things local. Our mission is to provide advocacy, support and education to locally owned, independent businesses throughout the region. Shopapalooza Festival is LocalShops1’s annual holiday extravaganza, and it’s expected to be the largest Small Business Saturday (and Sunday!) event in the Southeast, possibly the nation.