On Feb. 3, St. Pete’s favorite local celebration turns cinco! The 5th Annual Localtopia started as a small jubilant celebration of all things locals love about living in St. Pete; it’s grown into the largest community event showcasing 200 independent businesses and local organizations.
Presented by Keep St. Pete Local (KSPL), St. Pete’s independent business alliance, the festival celebrates arts, music, food, drink and culture of the city. Williams Park lends its green lawns, stage and shade trees to the crowd of 20,000 + and transforms it into a joyful party from 10 am – 5 pm.
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Mayor Rick Kriseman‘s Chief of Staff referred to it as the “most St. Pete-esque event a resident or visitor can attend.” It means so much to us that many have called it *the* best event ever in St. Pete, including ILTB!
While Localtopia is free to the public, a $5 donation is suggested, as well as leaving your pups at home. But bring the kiddos because this event is super family friendly with the Nomad Art Bus, Kick in the Grass with the Rowdies, inspired crafts for kids, hula hooping and more.
The event is large, but laid out in “Villages” so it’s easy and fun to find what you are looking for. The Arts Village, Family Village (as above) Health & Wellness Village (expanded this year) are Localtopia favorites; chock full of artists, makers, local shops and services.
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New to 2018 is the Eco Village where you can learn how to compost, what’s new with solar technology and see some Tiny Houses firsthand. And this year, no single use plastics or Styrofoam will be used during the event.
As St. Pete is about to be the home to the state’s largest skate park, Localtopia has added a Skate Village too. A skate ramp, demos, trick contests and vendors will be on hand as well as The Deadly Rival Roller Derby Ladies.
Also new this year is the The Bubble Room, a VIP hotspot for mingling and prosecco or champagne tastings.
Localtopia serves a cornucopia of choices for local beer and eats from Food Truck Rally Alley to Restaurant Row with international delights and veggie alternatives from dozens of vendors including Anju Korean Gastrotruck, Fit Stop, Ikigai Sushi Bowls and Wraps, Latin Lunch Box, Maggie on the Move, Mazzaro’s Italian Market (Gold Sponsor), Pasta Bowl Food Truck, PB & Jelly Deli, Sexton’s Pizza, The Twisted Indian, Vanchetta, Alesia, Brooklyn South, Club Savor, Hunger + Thirst Group, Main Street Boys, Old Southeast Market, Pipo’s To Go, Rattle N Hum, Ray’s Vegan Soul
The Mill Restaurant, The Galley, Thirsty First and Urban Restaurants Group (Community Sponsor).
Sample sweets as you stroll around Williams Park or check out new brews from local beermeisters 3 Daughters Brewing, Avid Brew Company, Cage Brewing, Flying Boat Brewing Co., Green Bench Brewing Co., Mastry’s Brewing Co., Pinellas Ale Works, St. Pete Brewing Company
and Twin Bays Brewing.
Still thirsty? Grab coffee, tea and other non-alcoholic bevvies from local faves Black Crow Coffee, Bula Kafe, Craft Kafe, Embrew, Grassroots Kava House, Kahwa Coffee’s KahWagon (Community Sponsor)
Made Coffee, Mad Hatters Ethnobotanical Tea Bar, Mama Ninfa’s Aguas Frescas, Mother Kombucha, Squeeze Juice Works, Tidal Boar Ginger Beer and Wings Bookstore.
Dress comfy, wear your dancing shoes and enjoy the live music from an array of local bands and indie musicians. The music line-up includes: Mark Etherington | Mountain Holler 10:15 – 11:00; Ella Jet & Future Soul 11:00 – 11:45; The Hummingbirds 12:00 – 12:45; Lounge Cat 1:00 – 1:45; Rebekah Pulley and The Reluctant Prophets 2:00 – 2:45; Kaleigh Baker 3:00 – 3:45′ Boxcar Hollow 4:00 – 5:00.
FYI: Click here for more info and vendors. (Sorry, there are no more vendor spots available.) Williams Park, 330 2nd Avenue North
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