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Festival of States makeover reflects diverse community

It's out with the old and in with some new events at the annual Progress Energy Festival of States, which begins Thursday.

By MARY JANE PARK
Published April 3, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - The Progress Energy Festival of States, St. Petersburg's annual spring civic celebration, enters its 84th year having a considerably different focus than in previous incarnations.

The 2005 version includes a long weekend of entertainment opportunities that begins Thursday evening with a comedy performance by Sinbad.

Gone are the legions of high school marching bands that once traveled from all parts of the country for the event that traditionally had the slogan "where all America welcomes springtime."

A free Tuesday evening concert in North Straub Park will showcase the Awesome Original Second Time Arounders marching band and the Tarpon Springs High School concert band, jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble and show choir.

Lane Hosmer, the festival's director, said it replaces the traditional field show and will be held inside a 60- by 180-foot tent equipped with professional lighting and sound and that will seat 1,000 patrons.

"It's like an outdoor theater," he said.

The Tarpon Springs High musicians were recruited on the recommendation of the Pinellas County schools supervisor of music. The idea is to establish an annual invitational featuring high-quality performers.

"Being involved with school music programs and children, we want to offer a quality event that's free to the public," Hosmer said.

The Suncoasters, the civic organization that produces the festival, three years ago established a long-range planning committee to evaluate the quality and quantity of festival events.

"At first we took baby steps, and then giant leaps to create an event of which our city can be proud," Hosmer said.

As membership in the Suncoasters diversifies in age, gender and race, he said, festival programs should reflect the entire community.

Hosmer said a record 25 krewes from throughout Tampa Bay will participate in the illuminated night parade Friday.

It and the 5K run have been rescheduled from the traditional Tuesday, generating increased interest in both events, he said. A new arts and crafts show will take place Saturday and Sunday and will feature high-quality offerings, he said.

Friday's Coronation Ball, which honored Sungoddess Allyson Tolbert, the first African-American to win the title, and St. Petersburg College president Carl Kuttler as Mr. Sun, was a sellout for the first time.

Tolbert received an inaugural $5,000 scholarship. Bayfront Health System offered $2,500 to establish it and offered $1,000 more if another donor also gave $1,000. The Downtown St. Petersburg Rotary Club stepped up to the plate with $1,500.

The competition drew a record 38 applicants, about twice as many as in recent years.

Although the festival retains numerous homages to the legions of Mardi Gras celebrations throughout the country each spring, Mr. Sun no longer wears a crown but received a specially designed medal.

"The definition of not changing is being stagnant," Hosmer said. "That's not what you want (the festival) to be. The festival is St. Petersburg's civic celebration for everybody."

Tuesday

Concert in the Park: Features the Awesome Original Second Time Arounders marching band, Tarpon Springs High School concert band, jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble and show choir. 7 p.m. North Straub Park. Free.

Thursday

Verizon Comedy in the Park: Features comedian Sinbad. Gates open at 6 p.m. North Straub Park. $35. 898-2100; 813 287-8844; www.ticketmaster.com all Ticketmaster outlets. Group rates: 898-3654.

Friday

Harvey's 4th Street Grill 5K Run: 6:15 p.m. North Straub Park/Bayshore Drive NE.

Preparade party: 6:15 p.m. BayWalk.

Inn at Little Harbor Illuminated Night Parade: 8 p.m. Central Avenue and Fifth Street to Bayshore Drive NE to Vinoy Park, downtown St. Petersburg. Bleacher seats $6 at Shapiro's, BayWalk (cash or check only).

Scherer Construction & Engineering Fireworks: 9:30 p.m. Downtown St. Petersburg.

Saturday

Arts & Crafts Show: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. South Straub Park, Beach Drive and Second Avenue NE.

Open Air Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Regular Saturday Morning Market moves to North Straub Park, Beach Drive and Fifth Avenue NE.

Festival Day Parade: 10 a.m.-noon. Central Avenue and Fifth Street to Bayshore Drive to Vinoy Park, downtown St. Petersburg. Bleacher seats $6 at Shapiro's, BayWalk (cash or check only).

Awesome Original Second Time Arounders Festival Band: Noon-12:30 p.m. Southeast end of Vinoy Park at Bayshore Drive NE.

Verizon FunFest Events

8 a.m.-10 p.m. Vinoy Park, Bayshore Drive and Seventh Avenue NE, St. Petersburg.

Open car, motorcycle and truck show. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Franklin Templeton Kids Fest. Noon-4 p.m. KidsFest Performance Stage features Shana Banana shows; How to Be a Super Hero, featuring Spider-Man, Wolverine and Spidergirl; local dance companies. Noon-5:30 p.m.

Radio Disney Fun Squad features music, interactive games, Disney prizes. Noon-2 p.m.

Disney Goofy, Donald Duck appearances. Noon-12:30 p.m., 1-1:30 p.m.

DISH Network Sand Sculpture lessons feature world champion sand sculptors Sanding Ovations. Noon-4 p.m.

TASCO Interactive Teen Gallery features inflatable rides, video arcade with 10-foot Xbox screen, plus live music, game shows and money grab. Noon-6 p.m.

AEGON Wonders of Nature Wildlife Show. 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.

Celebration Station activity area. Noon-4 p.m.

Outback Steakhouse Music Stage

4 p.m. Noble Jones Band.

5:30 p.m. The Go Daddies.

7 p.m. Peter Frampton.

Gated event: No food, drink or re-entry. Gates open at 4 p.m. $10 advance; $15 day of concert; $25 reserved seats. 898-2100; 813 287-8844; www.ticketmaster.com all Ticketmaster outlets.

Food vendors, exhibits, games and rides. Noon-10 p.m.

Sunday

Verizon FunFest Events

Noon-7:30 p.m. Vinoy Park, Bayshore Drive and Seventh Avenue NE.

TASCO Interactive Teen Gallery features inflatable rides, video arcade with 10-foot Xbox screen, plus live music, game shows and money grab. Noon-6 p.m. Vinoy Park.

AEGON Wonders of Nature Wildlife Show. 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Vinoy Park.

Performances by Entertainment Revue. 12:30 and 2 p.m.

Outback Steakhouse Music Stage

3:15 p.m. TNB 5 p.m. Huey Lewis & the News.

Gated event: No food, drink or re-entry. Gates open at noon. $10 advance; $15 day of concert; $25 reserved seats. 898-2100; 813 287-8844; www.ticketmaster.com all Ticketmaster outlets.

Food vendors, exhibits, games and rides. Noon-7 p.m. Vinoy Park.

[Last modified April 3, 2005, 00:10:19]