Happy birthday, St. Pete Beach. The City Commission has $35,000 in the current budget and put the planning, Austin Piazza as Vice Chair, other members are Roberta Rhodes, Danielle Micklitsch and Scott Seubert. Also helping with the project is former SPB Commissioner Greg Premer. Mayor Deborah Schechner told Paradise News, “Jennifer McMahon, her staff and our Recreation Advisory Board do an outstanding job for St. Pete Beach. I appreciate their creativity in establishing traditional yet innovative ways to celebrate our 60th Anniversary with exciting activities that will appeal to all residents.”
“I have the highest praise for all the planning, hard work and enthusiasm from our recreation staff for the fun times beginning in January, having a wonderful brunch celebration on our actual Anniversary July 9 at the Don CeSar and continuing through the year. St. Pete Beach is the place to be in 2017!”
A unique 60th Anniversary T-shirt not only will promote the celebration but also will be a “walking coupon to local establishments,” as McMahon described it for Paradise News. “If you wear your T-shirt on the second Friday every month, participating sponsors each of whom will have donated $250 — with their logos on the back will offer special discounts at their place of business.”
“As examples, the Post Card Inn has a free appetizer at its Boathouse restaurant; Rum Runners at the Sirata has a 20% discount on food and drink; and the Hurricane is offering a 15% discount on each check. Other sponsors include Hotel Zamora & Castile Restaurant, Shark Tales, The Undertow/Smileys, Rumfish Grill at TradeWinds Guy Harvey Outpost, Maestry’s Brewing Co., Salty Rim, Brass Monkey, Riptides, Café Soleil, Dixie Dogs, Skidders, Ten Pin Lanes, Shells, Swigwam, Keystone Motel and Paradise News.”T-shirts will be priced at an affordable $20 and will be on sale at City Hall, the Recreation Center, the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum and the SPB Library, among other locations.
McMahon continued, “Kelly Caputo, long-time Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce member and board director, has her Caputo Creative Agency creating a 60th anniversary music video. It will highlight the people having fun at the places hosting the key decade events, expanded as each takes place. The video will run on the City Website and local cable channel, among other outlets.”
Through the Decades The celebrations will kick off on Elvis’ birthday, Sunday, January 8, with a Sock Hop to celebrate the 50’s at the Community Center from 1-4 pm. Featured band is 2 Dog Night with top Elvis hits promised.
Everyone will rock to the 60’s on Saturday, March 4, from 9 am to 4 pm at the annual Island Festival at the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum in Pass-A-Grille. Museum Volunteer Director Lance Peterson told Paradise News, ““With the City as co-sponsor for its 60th anniversary, it will also celebrate 100 years of the old church building that now houses our Museum and will be open all day. Events scheduled include the MG European Car Club, historic walks, rotating bands on stage in Hurley Park, vendors, food by the SPB Fire Fighters, other food, beer wagon, face painting, 21 donated raffle prizes with three drawn every hour, a 50-50 raffle, and other entertainment.”
Everyone will Salute our Veterans on Saturday, May 6 in 70s style at Horan Park from 11 am to 5 pm in partnership with the Veterans of South Pinellas County. Brooks Cavender, VSPC Events Chair, told Paradise News, “Our 7th Annual Salute to Veterans again will benefit local charities with some added new ventures. We will again offer a military enlistment ceremony, military and rescue vehicles, a competition car show, free concerts, exhibits, vendors, food & beer and family fun events all day.”
On Sunday, July 9, everyone will celebrate the ‘80s at a champagne brunch at the Loews Don CeSar Resort. McMahon notes, “With Loews as the sponsor, the plan is to have voting for local favorites in a ‘Best of St Pete ‘ competition for restaurants and businesses in many categories. Tickets will be sold to vote and for the brunch, where awards will be given to all the winners.”
On October 6, everyone will rock their way through the ‘90s at the kick-off concert for the Friday night October Concert Series in Horan Park from 7 to 9 pm. There will be a special 60th anniversary 50-50 raffle and other special giveaways.
The City will end the year-long celebration on Friday, December 1, at the Annual Tree Lighting & Boat Parade viewing party in Horan Park from 6 to 8 pm. For more information or to volunteer to assist with any of the 60th anniversary events, contact Jennifer McMahon, Recreation Director, at 727-363-9274 or email rddirector@stpetebeach.org
[Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Jennifer McMahon, SPB Recreation Director; SPB Mayor Deborah Schechner; Lance Peterson, Gulf Beaches Historical Museum; and Brooks Cavender, Veterans of South Pinellas County for their information and comments.”]
Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelance business writing services. He can be reached via email at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com
Year-long celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the creation of St. Pete Beach from the towns of Pass-A-Grille, Belle Vista and St. Petersburg Beach will mark the decades:
- January 8, Sunday ‘50s Elvis Birthday Sock Hop at Community Center
- March 4. Saturday ‘60s Island Festival with Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, Pass-a-Grille
- May 6, Saturday ‘70s Salute to Vets with Veterans of South Pinellas County at Horan Park
- July 9, Sunday ‘80s Anniversary Champagne Brunch at Loews Don CeSar Resort
- October 6, Friday ‘90s Kick-off 60th Anniversary Concert at Horan Park
- December 1, Friday Annual Tree Lighting and Boat Parade viewing party at Horan Park