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Organizers uncertain of site for food fest

Last year's host balks at participating in the Taste of New Tampa.

By BILL COATS
Published April 4, 2007

TAMPA - Organizers of the Taste of New Tampa, this suburban community's biggest social event, face the possibility of searching for a new location with only a month to go.

The annual food fest typically draws more than 8,000 guests, raises some $25,000 for community nonprofit groups and features up to 50 restaurants and 100 other businesses.

Last year, it doubled its space by moving from a shopping center in Tampa Palms to the new Shoppes of New Tampa at State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

But this year, the shopping center's anchor tenant, Publix Super Markets, hasn't decided whether to allow the May 6 event.

"Right now, a final decision has not been made," said Shannon Patten, spokeswoman for the Lakeland-based Publix, after consulting the company's real estate department. "I guess there was a lot of trouble with parking and traffic."

A civic and business group, the New Tampa Community Council, has organized the festival for 14 years. Its president, Mary Ann Yaney, said the uncertainty is somewhat paralyzing.

County government permits are required: building permits to erect a half-dozen tents; health permits for the portable toilets. But the Community Council, a nonprofit group relying on volunteers, doesn't want to invest permit fees with Pasco County if the event must be moved to Hillsborough, she said.

No publicity can be launched because the location is a question. And the Community Council doesn't want to start advance sales of the $10 entrance wristbands when it cannot tell the buyers where to go.

"I get calls daily asking, 'Where can I get wristbands?' " she said.

Yaney said volunteer parking guides at last year's Taste tried to keep the areas in front of Publix off-limits to festivalgoers, but some people parked there anyway. She said she told Publix representatives she would hire an off-duty deputy to prevent that this year.

Yaney said she also is exploring some off-site parking, and the Taste has arranged for a pair of shuttle buses to run "constantly" during the event.

She said the local Publix managers were avid participants in the Taste of New Tampa last year.

"They let us use their water. They had this wonderful spread of fresh fruit," she said. "They had a great time themselves and said they looked forward to this year."

Bill Coats can be reached at 813 269-5309 or coats@sptimes.com.

[Last modified April 4, 2007, 06:11:59]