Welcome to the Gulfport Merchants Association Home Page!
Get Rescued in Gulfport 2009 Photos
Get Rescued - Coming SOON! February 27, 2010
CURRENT PRESS RELEASES:
Dine Out On Friday, Feb. 5th To Support Animal Rescue Charities
GULFPORT, FLORIDA: On Friday, Feb. 5th, animal lovers will be offered an opportunity to support dozens of animal-rescue groups simply by enjoying a meal at Ecco Bistro & Tapas in Gulfport. Enjoy dinner or simply a glass of wine or dessert, and 20% of each check will be donated to Get Rescued…In Gulfport. Ecco is located at 3121 Beach Blvd. South in the heart of Gulfport’s historic waterfront arts district. This special night at Ecco coincides with Gulfport’s popular First Friday Art Walk, taking place from 6 to 10PM. Bring along your well-behaved canine companions, if you wish. Ecco also offers outdoor dining that is pet-friendly.
Get Rescued…In Gulfport, now in its sixth year, is an annual street festival that takes place on Gulfport’s Beach Blvd. Over 60 animal rescue groups from throughout the region are represented at this festive fundraising event that will take place on Feb. 27, 2010 from 10AM to5PM. Other vendors at the festival will offer pet-related crafts, art and other products. The Get Rescued event has become one of Gulfport’s most popular and beloved street festivals. And attendees are invited to bring along their own leashed, well-behaved dogs. Proceeds from fundraisers and the Get Rescued festival benefit the non-profit rescue groups. Participants are also encouraged to bring donations of pet food and cat litter to be distributed to the rescue groups.
Get Rescued…In Gulfport was conceived and founded by two Gulfport business owners and animal lovers: Lynda Shehan, owner of Auntie Lynda’s Pet Care, and Mary O’Malley, owner of Reef Dog Gifts & Grooming. Both Lynda and Mary will be present to welcome guests to Ecco at this special evening on Friday, January 1st. For more information about Get Rescued…In Gulfport, call 727-323-3892 or visit www.GetRescuedInGulfport.com.
Ecco Bistro & Tapas opened to a warm welcome and great reviews in early 2009. The menu features many unique and flavorful international-inspired tapas, as well as a slate of entrees from which to choose. The wine list is both excellent and affordable. See the menu at www.EccoDining.com.
For reservations, call Ecco at 727-381-9797.
First Friday Art Walk: February 5th, 6-10PM
Celebrate a new decade with an old tradition at the Gulfport First Friday Art Walk on Friday, February 5, 6-10PM and absorb Gulfport’s authentic “Old Florida” atmosphere.
Peruse the work of over 50 artists and crafters, as well as authors, antique dealers and entertainers stretched over a half-mile up and down scenic Beach Boulevard. While browsing the art and craft booths, don’t miss Gulfport’s unique shops, boutiques and galleries. Enjoy dinner at one of over a dozen fine restaurants within the Art District, now one of the foremost dining destinations in the Bay Area. Live entertainers will be appearing at venues throughout the Village. Observe the talented artists at work all along Beach & Shore Boulevards.
Gulfport Art Walk takes place on the First Friday and Third Saturday of every month, year-round. Parking is always available, the event is free, and free trolley rides are available from off-site parking areas, including nearby Catherine Hickman Theatre and Gulfport Public Library.
Pet and family friendly!
Experience a unique dining, shopping and cultural experience unlike any other. Once you discover Gulfport, Tampa Bay’s “best kept secret”, you’ll want to come back for more.
For more information on many other Gulfport events, go to www.ExploreGulfport.com or www.GulfportFlorida.us.
Applicants: Handmade and Personal creations.
Fees: $25 per Art Walk or $100 for five Consecutive Art Walks.
Application valid for one year.
Make Checks Payable to: GMA
Mail Application:
Suzanne King, C/O GMA
5225 15th Ave S
Gulfport, FL 33707
Contact: Suzanne King- 727-322-5217 or GulfportEvents@gmail.com
Vendors can download application here.
The Gulfport Art Walk and event recorded information line is 866-ART-WALK.
Gulfport Fresh Market Collects Donations For Senior Center Pantry
GULFPORT, FL: The Gulfport Merchants Association is now accepting donations of non-perishable food, toiletries and personal needs to be distributed to the Gulfport Senior Center Pantry. Bring your donations to the Gulfport Merchants Association tent each Tuesday during the Fresh Market, on Beach Blvd. below 29th Ave. South, from 9AM to 3PM. The Senior Center Pantry, which offers food and other needed items to struggling Gulfport families, is in great need of donations to keep up with the needs of its clients.
Gulfport’s Tuesday Fresh Market has become invigorated and invigorating with the warmer weather. The Market now stretches into two blocks on Beach Blvd. between 29th and 31st Aves. South. Vendors that have become a Market staple continue to offer their wares each week, including Kilpatrick’s fresh produce, the Cheese Lodge, Fresh From the Boat Seafood, Lutz Nutz, New York Bread & Bagels, Angry Squirrel Confections, the Honey Cart, Paint-It hand-painted accessories, Touch of Glass hand-made jewelry and many others. Food, art, crafts and live music each week make for a community gathering that is fun and family-friendly.
New vendors appear each week, offering a chance to take in something new and different on every visit. Among the latest additions to the Market, Rebecca’s Veggie Patch offers organic, hydroponic and locally grown produce, as well as grow-your-own hydroponic equipment. Dwan and Rebecca have a large hydroponic garden of their own, at which some of the produce is grown, and they also work with a Tampa Bay area network of local farmers with which they cooperate to bring produce to the Market. Gerraro’s offers its own recipe of marinara and barbecue sauces. Jill (Just Jill Designs) offers hand-painted silk shirts and accessories and creates some of her work while Market-goers stand by to observe. Tropical Gardens offers lush orchids and tropical plants at reasonable prices. One Glassy Lady offers hand-made fused glass jewelry. Cecille's offers a variety of spices, seasonings, Asian sauces and noodles. These are just a few of the new vendors in an expanding line-up that is making the Tuesday Fresh Market a fresh experience every week.
Visitors can make an outing out of their trip to Gulfport by enjoying breakfast or lunch or staying later for dinner in the waterfront village, which has become one of Tampa Bay’s premier dining destinations. And while strolling Beach Blvd., stop into one of the charming shops, galleries and boutiques, offering a unique small-town shopping experience. Gulfport’s waterfront Art Village offers “Old Florida” charm, with no chain stores and no parking meters. It is at once funky, friendly, eclectic, quaint and artsy. For more information about Gulfport and its many other events, including the popular Art Walks, visit GulfportFlorida.us, ExploreGulfport.com or GulfportMA.com.
Vendors interested in participating in the Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market can contact Daniel Hodge at 727-366-4086. Vendor information and applications for the Market and other Gulfport events can be found at the Fresh Market page.
The Gulfport Art Walks are becoming THE place for cool vendors to set up on the first Friday and third Saturday every month on Beach Blvd from 6:00 to 10:00 pm in Gulfport, Florida!
June 5th Gulfport Art Walk on Beach Blvd. in beautiful Gulfport, Florida
Gulfport Art Walk on June 5th, 2009
Drum Magic drum circle at the Gulfport Springfest 2009
"Get Rescued" in Gulfport 2009
4th of July in Gulfport, Florida 2009
GULFPORT EVENTS
-
Tuesday Morning Fresh Market (Daytime Paver Event)
Weekly, Every Tuesday, Year Round. 9 am to 3 pm
Fees: $25 weekly or $150 for 10 consecutive weeks.
Make Checks Payable to: GMA
Download the 2009 Vendor Application
Mail Application and Fee Payment to: Mike McCue or Daniel Hodge
Tuesday Fresh Market, 4920 29th Ave. South, Gulfport, FL 33707
Contact: Daniel Hodge
Daniel Hodge 727-366-4086 or dan@igc.org
-
Art Walk (Evening Paver Event)
Bi-Weekly, First Friday and Third Saturday, Year Round. 6-10 pm
Applicants: Handmade and Personal creations.
Fees: $30 per Art Walk or $120 for five Consecutive Art Walks.
Application valid for one year.
Make Checks Payable to: GMA
Mail Application:
Suzanne King, C/O ART WALK, PO Box 530234, St. Petersburg, FL 33747
Contact: Suzanne King- 727-322-5217 or SuzFest@gmail.com
-
Shop Mom and Pop (Daytime Paver Event)
Saturday, November 27, 2010 10 am to 5 pm
Applicants: Sole Proprietors, Handmade and Personal creations.
Fees: $30
Make Checks Payable to: GMA
Mail Application:
Suzanne King, C/O MOM/POP, PO Box 530234, St. Petersburg, FL 33747
Contact: Suzanne King- 727-322-5217 or SuzFest@gmail.com
-
Get Rescued In Gulfport (Daytime Street Event)
Saturday, February 27th, 2010, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Applicants: Pet Related/Friendly, Art, Craft, Food, Corporate Sponsors
Artist/Crafter Fees: Early applications postmarked by Feb 1st $75.00.
By Feb 15th $100, AFTER Feb 15th $150
Food Vendor Fees: Early applications postmarked by Feb 1st $200.00.
By Feb 15th $250, AFTER Feb 15th $300
Rescue Groups: Early applications postmarked by Feb 1st, FREE with proof of non profit status. Late: after February 1st, add $50 fee.
Make Space Rental Fees Payable to: GRIG
Include Application Fee: $10 Payable to SIK Promotions
NSF Check Fee $35Mail Application:
Suzanne King, C/O GRIG, PO Box 530234, St. Petersburg, FL 33747
Contact: Suzanne King- 727-322-5217 or SuzFest@gmail.com
Rescues Contact: Lynda Shehan-727-323-3892 or no1ringmaster@aol.com
-
Spring Fest (All Day Street Event)
April 11, 2009, Noon to 8 pm
Applicants: Any
Artist/Crafter Fees: Early applications postmarked by March 1st $75.00.
By March 15th $100, AFTER March 15th $150
Food Vendor Fees: Early applications postmarked by March 1st $200.00.
By March 15th $250, AFTER March 15th $300Make Checks Payable to: GULFPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Mail Application: Suzanne King, C/O SPRINGFEST, PO Box 530234, St. Petersburg, FL 33747
Contact: Suzanne King- 727-322-5217 or SuzFest@gmail.com
-
July 4th Celebration (All Day Paver Event)
July 4th, Annualy. Noon to 10 pm
Applicants: Any
Fees: $50
Make Checks Payable to: GMA
Mail Application:
Suzanne King, C/O JULY 4, PO Box 530234, St. Petersburg, FL 33747
Contact: Suzanne King- 727-322-5217 or SuzFest@gmail.com
-
Gecko Fest (Street Event)
Saturday, September 5th, 2009, Noon to 10 pm
Applicants: Any
Fees: Artist/Crafter Fees: Early applications postmarked by August 1st $75.00.
By August 15th $100, AFTER August 15th $150
Food Vendor Fees: Early applications postmarked by August 1st $200.00.
By August 15th $250, AFTER August 15th $300
Make Checks Payable to: GMA
Mail Application:
Suzanne King, C/O GECKOFEST, PO Box 530234, St. Petersburg, FL 33747
Contact: Suzanne King- 727-322-5217 or SuzFest@gmail.com
Geckofest 2008
Your GMA Board Members
Feel free to contact board members with questions and comments about GMA activities and events. Your input matters.
- Leslie Gilchrist - President
The Outpost
gilchristleslie@gmail.com or 727-439-1485
- Mike Baggs - Vice President
Sail Away Realty
MichaelBaggs@hotmail.com or 727-384-6776
- Mike Knettel - Secretary/Treasurer
Domains Home Accessories
mgkcoinc@hotmail.com or 727-302-9299
- Lori Rosso - Board Member
Sea Breeze Manor
rsvp@seabreezemanor.com or 727-343-4445
- Mary O'Malley - Board Member
Reef Dog Gifts and Grooming
reefdogmary@yahoo.com or 727-323-7007
- Suzanne King - Events Coordinator
SIK Promotions
GulfportEvents@gmail.com or 727-322-5217
- Mike McCue - Advertising
mmccue@igc.org or 727-302-929
- Rob Fowler - Webmaster
007 Computer
rob@007computer.com or 727-388-9442
