It’s no trick: St. Petersburg knows how to throw a good party. In addition to treating residents and visitors alike to St Pete Pride each June, traditionally the state’s largest LGBTQ celebration, inclusive establishments and organizations happily haunt the city year round.
Among them is Car-Free St. Pete, which works to build a sustainable future for the community it serves. The organization exists to show that driving less can result in “healthier individuals, safer streets, a cleaner environment and a stronger economy.”
That mission will take center stage this year Oct. 31 for Halloween on Central, their collaborative event with the City of St. Petersburg, Grand Central District, EDGE District and Open Streets St. Pete. From 12-5 p.m., an impressive 22 blocks of Central Ave. – from MLK Jr. St. to 31st St. – will close to traffic for a holiday spooktacular.
Car-Free St. Pete says that the free, all-ages and pet-friendly event “will showcase our vision for what a car-free Central Avenue could look like for locals, businesses and visitors to enjoy.” The organization urges attendees to “rediscover their favorite local businesses and interact with the community in fun, healthy ways.”
Participating was a natural fit for the Grand Central District, the area’s traditional gayborhood and birthplace of both St Pete Pride and Come OUT St. Pete. More than 100 banners in the traditional colors of the Pride flag line its 15 blocks of Central Ave., which is home to the LGBTQ-owned, operated or affirming Cocktail, Dog Bar, The Garage, Love Food Central, Mixers at OKW, Punky’s Bar and Grill and more.
“We just seized the opportunity,” Grand Central District Association Executive Director David Foote says of joining this year’s frightful fun.
“It’s basically a gay Halloween in Grand Central, where Halloween meets Pride and the costumes can be outrageous and theatrical,” he explains. “The event’s going to welcome everyone without any worry that someone will be offended by a costume or a drag queen. We’re that way all year here.”
The GCD was originally approached about holding a Car-Free event pre-COVID but plans were delayed to ensure the safety of participants. Once they were solidified, Foote worked with the businesses and organizations in the district to create “zones” responsible for their own blocks of activities and entertainment.
Come OUT St. Pete will be responsible for the 2600-3100 blocks, presenting the West End Ghoul Fest in lieu of this year’s traditional festival marking National Coming Out Day. Organizers promise “curated collections of vendors and entertainers will be assembled throughout those blocks to create a self-guided community experience.”
Festivities will include a West End Ghoul Fest Stage at Punky’s Bar and Grill and a costume contest hosted by Halloween mistress Kori Stevens. Pumpkin carving contests and pub crawls will also be featured. Read more in this year’s official guide and view additional details below:
St Pete Pride will transform the 2400-2500 blocks into the family-friendly FrankenPride. The organization promises music from a monster DJ, cabaret witches, vogueing mummies, spooky drag entertainment and more.
“It’s unlike anything St Pete Pride has done before,” St Pete Pride President Tiffany Freisberg says. “FrankenPride reflects our commitment to making our programming more inclusive and diverse; it’s an event that welcomes families, celebrates LGBTQ+ culture and will feature the traditionally Black queer dance form of vogueing. We have lots of volunteers helping make it happen, and we always welcome new volunteers to join our team.”
The space will feature an activation from the Great Explorations Children’s Museum, Tampa Bay’s first children’s museum as well as a haunted house at VFW Post No. 39. St Pete Pride proudly sponsored the more than 100-year-old, LGBTQ-affirming space to showcase its spooky side.
“Halloween has always had a special place in the LGBTQ+ calendar,” Freisberg says. “For many who struggled, or still struggle, to show our true selves to the wider world, Halloween provides a liberating sanctuary in which we can freely express our subcultural identities with reduced fear of judgment. Makeup, glitter, drag, face paint, heels – it’s all considered the norm for one glorious day. Taking part in a city-wide Halloween celebration feels like a natural fit for us.”
It was also a must for David Fischer, owner of the celebrated speakeasy The Saint and Cocktail, St. Petersburg’s newest LGBTQ bar. The Saint will hold a ticketed Repentance Ball for sinners Oct. 29-31 featuring entertainment director Adriana Sparkle as Morticia Addams and more while Cocktail will present the free Cock-O-Ween, featuring the Cock’d ‘N Loaded main stage in the 2300 block.
In addition to local entertainment during and after Halloween on Central, Cock-O-Ween will welcome two headliners. Taking the stage will be Sharon Needles, the frighteningly boo-tiful winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season four and the iconic Lady Bunny, who will also DJ at Cocktail that evening.
“I think members of our community enjoy dressing up period,” Fischer says. “Having a holiday centered on dressing up gives people an opportunity to have alter egos and do things they don’t always get to do. It gives our community another creative outlet.”
Cocktail will host a number of costume contests throughout Halloween weekend for that reason. Categories include Cockiest, or best overall; Woody Worthy, or sexiest and Cocks’ Choice, the peoples’ choice award. Prizes include cash and cash equivalents.
“We didn’t have a Pride parade this year, so anytime the community can come together and celebrate it’s important to do so,” Fischer notes. “We need to lift our spirits during the crazy times that we find ourselves in and just have a good time.” Read more from Cocktail and the district below:
LGBTQ-owned, operated or affirming spaces like Atlas Body + Home, Dr. BBQ, Enigma St Pete, Zubrick Magic Theatre and more will help Halloween fans do so in the EDGE District. They’ll each celebrate in their own fangtastic forms before, during and after Halloween on Central, especially Enigma. The LGBTQ haunt spot will feature costume contests Oct. 30-31 with spooktacular prizes, bewitching drag performances and more.
“Dozens of EDGE businesses are participating by offering Halloween games, contests, door prizes and raffles, treats and other special activities,” EDGE Business District Association Executive Director Barbara Voglewede says. “We greatly look forward to hosting this massive car-free Halloween celebration on our beautiful Central Avenue corridor!” Learn more:
Halloween on Central will be held from 12-5 p.m. and is free for all ages. While smaller transportation options are allowed, motorized vehicles are prohibited. For more information about celebrating in the Grand Central and EDGE Districts, visit HalloweenOnCentral.com.
Ready for more Halloween? View all of Watermark’s Halloween 2021 coverage here.
