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Who says there's no such thing?

Guavaween Family FunFest festivities start at 10 a.m.

By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
Published October 27, 2006

TAMPA — Rosemary Saunders doesn’t do store-bought costumes. And she doesn’t wait until the last minute, either. Not if she wants to win the Guavaween costume contest this year.She envisioned the costume early this summer.

As a medieval sorceress, she would ride a dragon. She would build the beast herself. And she would make it look so real people would forget there was no such thing as a dragon.After a month, the black and gold beast that measured 18 feet was done and named “NoSuch.”

During Guavaween, the sorceress will ride her dragon in Ybor City to celebrate Halloween.

But unlike those who pretend just for a day, Saunders is a witch all year long.

Saunders, 50, is the only one of her 13 siblings who pursued her pagan roots in witchcraft.

Like the potions she mixes from her home- grown herbs, Saunders mingles magic with her metropolitan lifestyle.

She lives with her husband, Andrew Saunders, in the new Ybor City development the Quarter. On her balcony is her cauldron. Near her front door is Dragonfly, her broom. Around her neck is a pentagram, symbolizing earth, air, fire, water and spirit.

She keeps her creations of all kinds. They’re memories, accomplishments and adventures.

NoSuch the dragon will join them after tonight.

IF YOU GO:
Guavaween Family FunFest festivities start at 10 a.m. and finish at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, and kids in costume are free. The night of costumed revelry begins at 3 p.m, and continues with a parade along 7th Avenue at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.

The costume contest will be at 9:30 p.m. on the stage at 7th Avenue and 15th Street. The grand prize is $2,000. For more information, visit http://www.cc-events.org/gw.

Alexandra Zayas can be reached at 226-3354 or azayas@sptimes.com.

[Last modified October 28, 2006, 00:10:13]