Tampabay: Anything Guava goe

Anything Guava goe

But this year, additional attractions draw families to a festival known for its wild dress and behavior.

By SUSAN THURSTON

TAMPA -- On any Saturday in Ybor City, women wear platform boots, sequined halter tops and leather miniskirts for a stroll down the street. On Guavaween in Ybor, men with hairy backs squeeze into backless pink dresses for a night guzzling beer.

Anything, and everything, goes on Guavaween, the Latin-style Halloween festival founded 17 years ago as a fundraiser for Ybor City.

The annual tradition lived on with few problems Saturday. Revelers danced in the streets and pointed fingers in awe at the myriad costumes that passed by. Not surprisingly, some people got a little rowdy.

Noticeably different, however, was the presence of masses of children. With the opening of Centro Ybor and nearby parking structure, many parents decided to make Guavaween a family affair.

Frances Hurst brought her teenage daughter and niece to take part in the festivities for the first time. All three dressed as witches. "I think it's a lot more family-oriented," said Hurst, who drove about 40 miles from Pasco County.

Organizers made a big push this year to make Guavaween an event for people of all ages, not just partying adults. The day included several activities for kids, including trick-or-treat, story time and a scavenger hunt. Children with costumes got in free.

Many parents said the events enhanced the festival.

"It's always been great, but I feel a lot better about bringing my kids," said John Mayo of Northdale, who grew up five blocks from Ybor. "Before, we didn't bring them at all."

For Mike Finley, all the kids meant for a busy day. Dressed as Santa Claus, he was one of the most popular people at the parade. "Santa, I want roller-skates for Christmas," said one youngster in a stroller.

"We'll see what we can do," he responded, a beer in his hand.

But it wasn't all kids' play and not everyone was being nice. As usual, some adults got naughty and exposed a few extra body parts. For those, he happily provided a spanking.

People-watching remained the preferred pastime.

Costumes ranged from the Gothic -- Edward Scissorhands and Frankenstein -- to a man dressed as a priest baptizing passers-by with beer, to a fake robber with pantyhose over his head and a toy gun accosting people. Another bogus criminal wore boxes of cereal skewered to his body with arrows. He was -- you guessed it -- a "cereal killer."

Although organizers again tried to restore the festival's roots in political satire, the Mama Guava Stumble Parade focused more on costumes and, of course, bead-throwing. The Yuppie Krishnas were back by popular demand, carrying signs such as, "Let's do lunch. Have your Guru e-mail my Guru."

Mama Guava led the parade, drawing thunderous applause from her fans. She's running for president, she says, though few seemed to notice. They had fun, not politics, in mind.

As the evening wore on, the festivities stayed zany but not out of hand.