Thumbnail image from the Localtopia website
More than 250 of St. Petersburg’s favorite local businesses, crafters, artisans, community organizations, craft breweries and food trucks will convene for what has been voted the “Best Festival” at Williams Park come February 22.
It’s the seventh annual Localtopia, renowned for being St. Petersburg’s largest “Community Celebration of All Things Local.”
And this year promises to bring even more local goodness as the festival expands its footprint by one whole city block and adds a second stage.
Presented by Keep St. Petersburg Local (KSPL), a non-profit organization affiliated with the American Independent Business Alliance, the festival features shopping villages or clusters of like-minded vendors. There you can stock up on fresh produce, build your own book, find a new piece of original art, grab a plant-based meal and enjoy libations.
Olga Bof, founder and executive director for KSPL, says, “We couldn’t be prouder that this has turned into such an eagerly anticipated annual event, winning awards, and now appearing on “must-do” lists for the whole state of Florida.
“Each year, the festival has evolved, so it’s never the same experience as the previous year, but we’ve always strived to make it even better than any of the previous years. We are so thrilled to be able to grow the festival for 2020 and help support even more local businesses.”
The expansion takes place on 3rd Street North, which will now be closed between 1st and 3rd Avenues. The added block between 2nd and 3rd Avenues will be known as the “New to Localtopia” block and feature vendors that have never before participated at the festival before.
St. Petersburg’s Mayor Rick Kriseman opens the festival at 10 a.m. Musical performances will take place all day long on the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater (VSPC) Street Stage and at the Williams Park Bandstand. Also, visitors will enjoy featured performances by artists associated with The Palladium.
“To be the organization that puts on the event that showcases the best of our city and is its biggest Community Celebration of All Things Local is a dream come true!” says Bof.
WHAT:
7th Annual LOCALTOPIA, “A Community Celebration of All Things Local” organized by Keep St. Petersburg Local
WHEN:
Saturday, February 22; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Rain date: February 29)
WHERE:
Williams Park, 330 2nd Avenue N., St. Petersburg
Streets Closed for Festival: Expansion on 3rd Street by one whole city block will now be closed between 1st to 3rd Avenues N., 2nd Avenue between 3rd & 4th Streets N.; “Old Bus Lane” on 4th Street N. Free Bike Valet
COST:
FREE family-friendly festival with $5 suggested minimum donation. *Not pet-friendly since 2016 due to large crowds.
MORE INFO:
For more information visit localtopia.keepsaintpetersburglocal.org, Localtopia 2020 on Facebook, or call (813) 500-7708
