Mothers and fathers seem to get all of the mid-year holiday love, but they wouldn’t even be here (and neither would you) without grandparents! This year, Grandparents Day is celebrated on September 8th, and we think it’s about time that we remind our parents’ parents just how special they are for providing wisdom, guidance and unwavering love.

To do so, let’s take a stroll back past green benches and hexagon-shaped sidewalks to honor The ‘Burg‘s storied past. At the end, sign up to win a special Grandparents Day Package for two to give away as a thank you to the gramps and grammy that fill your life with joy!

1.  Does anyone remember the Boatyard Village or the Tiki Gardens that were popular in the 1980s?

2.  Going back a little further, can you recall Hotel Detroit looking like this, or the construction of the Bayfront Center in the 60s?

3.  Before social media and cell phones, St. Pete had Green Benches. That’s where everyone went to gossip. Do you know any "Green Benchers"?

4.  Reaching further, some might recall paying a toll on the Gandy Bridge or testing one’s luck at the infamous Fountain of Youth!

5.  Or maybe you were fortunate enough to wear a colorful hat, sit with friends and catch a sold out show at the Williams Park band shell.

6.  Did you eat in the basement of the Snell Arcade building at Bob’s Cafeteria for only a quarter? Or did you have a first date at Gulf Winds, St. Pete’s last great drive-in theatre? And how can we forget the lovely Soreno Hotel that went up in ’24?

All photos via Historic St. Petersburg. Like them on Facebook!

The Renaissance Vinoy. Shuffleboard madness. Historic piers. Gorgeous parks. St. Pete has seen a lot of wonderful memories come and go. If your grandparents are from here, be sure to bring up some of these and listen to their stories so you can fall in love with the ‘Burg all over again!

Win an Awesome Package for the Grandparents!

In the meantime, we have a Grandparents Day Package that you can hand over or experience with one of them. On September 11th, enjoy a three-course dinner for two at Gratzzi Italian Grille, a classic and elegant Italian favorite. Then, walk a square block to The Mahaffey Theater and catch the hits of Engelbert Humperdinck, an international legend who’s sold over 150 million albums in the last half-century! It was actually "Humper" and not Elvis that made popular the sideburns and flamboyant jumpsuits.

Just answer this question correctly and you’ll be entered to win our Grandparents Day Package, valued at over $200, good for a three-course dinner for two at Gratzzi Italian Grille and a pair of tickets to see Engelbert Humperdinck at The Mahaffey on September 11th, making the perfect gift to celebrate your grandparent(s)!

Q: In the mid-1960s, Engelbert Humperdinck took on the name of the 19th century German composer of operas, but what is his real name?

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