Sunshine City Magazine

The Fishathon • St Pete Catalyst

Published

2 years ago

June 3, 2023

Noisy cliques of waterbirds known as gallinules swim, hunt and peck among the reeds, weeds and aquatic grasses that ring Round Lake, a small pond just west of 4^th Street near downtown St. Petersburg. There are ducks here, too, and turtles, and the occasional visiting heron on the prowl for an easy meal.

Beneath the water’s surface, in some deep, dark hole, does Big Ben still lurk, wary of worms dangling from pointy hooks?

Big Ben was a five-pound black bass “from a north Florida lake,” snagged, tagged and introduced to the warm waters of Round Lake in 1948. He was to be the prize catch at the city’s first Fishathon, a contest for children sponsored by the Evening Independent newspaper and the state Game and Freshwater Fish Commission.

Seventy-five years later, the Fishathon is still an annual community engagement event. A lot has changed, from the location to the sponsors to the prizes, but the essence of the event is the same: In true Huck Finn fashion, kids are given cane poles (no complicated rods and reels here), and bait, and whoever catches the biggest fish wins. Most fish weigh in at just a few ounces.

It might seem anachronistic in these fast-moving times, but youngsters – and older folks too – enjoy it today just as much as they did in the ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s and beyond. So believes Jim Belcher, five-time president of St. Petersburg Civitan, which has been a primary Fishathon sponsor since the LBJ administration.

Belcher, a realtor with Coldwell Banker, worked his first Fishathon in 1999. “That first year, my mother brings one of her neighbor’s children,” he says. “He’s being raised by a single mother. He’s never fished before. And he catches a pretty good-sized fish, the biggest fish of the day. It was maybe half a pound. And he’s squealing with delight.

“I look down, and instantly that inner child comes out – I remember what it was like to catch a fish on a cane pole, as a child. The Fishathon is about introducing children to that thrill of catching fish.”

The 2022 Fishathon at Lake Jorgensen. Photo: City of St. Petersburg.

Civitan and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department will partner up on the 2023 Fishathon Saturday, Aug. 19 at Lake Jorgensen, behind the closed-for-repairs President Barack Obama Library.

That primal thrill of the catch, believes Belcher, transcends time, and progress … and other, less tangible things.

“I wouldn’t say it’s for underprivileged kids,” he says. “It’s for ‘not privileged’ kids. The kids that are out deep sea fishing with Mom and Dad are not going to Fishathon.”

Then there are the repeat customers. “I’ve had a great-grandmother who was there with her daughter, her granddaughter and her great-granddaughter. Four generations, and they had all fished at Fishathon. And that let me know what it meant to them.”

1948, Round Lake. Photo: Florida Archives.

In 1948, when 4^th Street was the city’s main north-south thoroughfare, it made perfect sense for the Independent – St. Pete’s afternoon paper – to cast its debut Fishathon at Round Lake.

The lake was pre-stocked with bream, bass and catfish that had been “seined from lakes south of here, where lack of rain has lowered the water of ponds and streams,” the newspaper explained. The fish were described as “hook-sized.”

1948, Round Lake. Photo: Florida Archives.

After the Miami Herald published a story about the event, a worm farmer from Dade County donated 2,000 of the wiggly creatures and had them flown into Albert Whitted Airport, then trucked to Round Lake.

Charles Turner, owner of St. Pete’s Sunken Gardens, explained that his place had plenty of earthworms, and if kids came around, he’d be happy to show them where to dig.

Nearly 1,000 children, ages 3 to 13, many accompanied by parents and other family members, “tried their luck” during the event’s two-day debut.

Prizes were awarded, including toys, watches, baseball mitts, a camera and a bicycle.

Big Ben, meanwhile, was never caught, and so the grand prize – a three-night, all-expenses-paid trip to a Homosassa Springs motel, with a buddy and a chaperone – went unclaimed.

A tagged 11-pound bass, the Independent reported, was introduced to Round Lake in 1950. They called him Big Bill.

Bill, too, did not succumb to the lure of the worm.

And so it went, every summer until 1955, when the Fishathon moved west to much larger Lake Pasadena.

Lake Pasadena, 1960s (date unknown). Photo: St. Petersburg Museum of History.

In the 1960s – when the Police Pistol Club was one of the community sponsors – the St. Petersburg Times, which had purchased the competing Independent, began offering free round-trip rides on public buses to and from Lake Pasadena on Fishathon days.

Some 5,000 kids ringed the lake for the 21st annual event in 1969, competing for games, guitars, swimming masks and fins, a crystal radio and the requisite bicycle.

“This year, for the first time, moms will be given six minutes to land the biggest fish for $5 gift certificates,” the Times crowed.

Free hot dogs, sodas and popsicles were always part of the package. Some years, there was ice cream.

Because of a fish kill last weekend at Lake Pasadena, the traditional site of the Fishathon, the event will be held this year from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Jorgenson (sic) Lake.

St. Petersburg Times/August 14, 1975

The Fishathon never returned to Lake Pasadena. Although there was no event in 2020 or ’21 (thank you, pandemic), Civitan and the City resumed their partnership last year. The contest is now officially known as the Dennis Crenshaw Memorial Fishathon, named for a local high school teacher and Parks and Recreation employee who worked tirelessly on the Fishathon.

Dennis Burns has worked for the City of St. Petersburg – and been part of the Fishathon crew – for 32 years. Dennis Crenshaw was his first team supervisor.

There’s no pre-registration, Burns says. Just walk up by 9 a.m. on Aug. 19 and they’ll sign you up and hand over a fishing setup.

These days, he explains, “it’s open to all ages. We get little kids, we get teenagers, we get adults and we also get groups from the senior homes.” Fishing takes place in timed periods; small prizes are presented for different age groups (no more bikes, Homosassa trips or crystal radios).

“We have people who come year after year, no matter what,” says Burns. “We see people who used to come out when they were kids, and now they’re bringing their own kids.”

Although the descendants of Big Ben and Big Bill are likely still swimming freely in the depths of Round Lake, the sponsors no longer pre-stock Lake Jorgensen. The heftiest fish Burns remembers seeing, during his three decades at the lake, weighed in at 2 and ½ pounds.

Things may have scaled down considerably over 75 years, but the Fishathon’s core community mission has never changed: That squeal of delight.

“It’s part of the city – as something that started so long ago, it just a part of it,” Burns says. “Even though the numbers have fallen off over the years, I think if you can make some people happy for a morning, then it’s worth doing.”

Lake Jorgensen, 2022. Photo: City of St. Petersburg.

Sunshine City Magazine

Tampa Shuffle’s six-year anniversary weekend kicks off with Women In Music showcase | Tampa

Published

9 months ago

March 13, 2024

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Photo by Camren Meier

Ari Chi, who plays Shuffle in Tampa, Florida on March 15, 2024.

Kicking off Shuffle’s weekend-long, six-year anniversary party, Seek the Light Media—a woman-owned media company run by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay contributor Yvonne Gougelet—is hosting its first-ever Women In Music Showcase this weekend.

A press release notes that along with March being National Women’s Month, the acoustic-based event—which includes a set from uke-weilding songwriter Ari Chi—was partially inspired by the need to raise awareness around a constant lack of diversity on gig lineups.

There’s no cover to get into the Women In Music Showcase happening on Friday, March 15, but donations to keep Tampa’s beloved woman-owned shuffleboard hotspot up and running will be greatly appreciated.

To close out its anniversary weekend, Shuffle—located at 2612 N Tampa St.—welcomes Lauris Vidal, his one-man band, a special “Tom Waits giving a hug to Paul Simon” vocal style, along with Tribal Style—the reggae roots outfit that came up in the Southern California scene before becoming a staple in the Bay area.

There’s no cover for any of the Shuffle six-year anniversary concerts happening Friday-Saturday, March 15-16 at Tampa Shuffle.
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Sunshine City Magazine

Congresswoman secures $5.5 million for St. Pete projects • St Pete Catalyst

Published

9 months ago

March 13, 2024

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Six local projects that encompass everything from uplifting South St. Petersburg communities to clean energy initiatives will benefit from U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor’s federal appropriations success.

The congresswoman recently secured $14 million in area Community Priority Grants, with $5.5 million directly benefitting St. Petersburg organizations. Castor was particularly proud of receiving $1.5 million – her full ask – for the Enoch Davis Center.

The facility at 111 18^th Ave. S. is named after a prominent local civil rights activist. Mayor Ken Welch called the center “vital but dated” when he announced plans in May 2023 to transform it into a state-of-the-art community hub.

“I love that one because I’m at the Enoch Davis Center a lot,” Castor told the Catalyst. “Those modern, up-to-date community centers are more important than ever.”

The federal grant will fund assessment, pre-construction and energy-efficiency costs. Welch previously noted the facility’s expansive upgrades will support neighborhood health and safety and provide “technology and tools to excel in our competitive 21^st-century economy.”

Castor explained that the Inflation Reduction Act also allows local governments and organizations to receive rebates for sustainability efforts, like solar panels. “When you help the city save money, you help our neighbors save money, too,” she said.

“So, you’re going to see those kinds of investments … really ramp up,” Castor added. “And boy, do we need it – because our electric bills are out of sight.”

She also secured over $1.1 million for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. The agency will use the money to convert its bus fleet to electric motors.

The federal funding will also help PSTA electrify its St. Petersburg Pier tram system. Castor called it a “great demonstration” of clean energy benefits due to the vehicles’ “high profile.”

“I was out there on The Pier about a week and a half ago, and they run all the time,” she said. “They’re gas-powered. And if you’re sitting behind the engine, it’s not great.”

From left, PSTA CEO Brad Miller and Congresswoman Kathy Castor discuss the SunRunner service with local resident and frequent rider Christopher Winters. Photo by Ashley Morales.

The University of South Florida St. Petersburg emerged as a big winner in the grant cycle. The Coastal Resilience Data Visualization Center at the College of Marine Science and the Disrupt Human Trafficking Data Project will each receive $963,000.

Coastal Resilience Center officials will use the funding for scientific planning, threat simulations and public outreach activities. Castor noted the city and state are particularly vulnerable to more frequent and intense storms and sea-level rise.

In addition, the nation experienced the hottest February in recorded history. Castor said people need up-to-date information on where to build and live safely.

“Hopefully, this informs policymakers to help them steer development away from the most dangerous areas,” she said. “It comes back to how people are feeling in their pocketbooks, with insurance costs. We really have to give people better tools and a better understanding of what a changing climate will mean for them.”

USFSP’s Trafficking in Person’s (TIP) Risk to Resilience Research Lab will use the Community Grant funding to develop a statewide data repository called TIPSTR. The program will assist law-enforcement investigations, mitigate gaps in victim services, develop prevention programs and help discern the problem’s magnitude.

An $850,000 grant will support the Deuces Rising development, formerly the Sankofa project. It will provide 24 homeownership opportunities along the 22^nd Street South (the Deuces) corridor for those earning below 80% of the area median income.

The public subsidy for each unit in the long-discussed development is just under $500,000. Castor said she “thought it was worthwhile to try to help lower the cost of the affordable housing portion.”

“This may turn out to be a one-two punch,” Castor added. “It (funding) is not at the level I sought. If it will qualify next year, I may come back and try to do another tranche for that.”

The Pinellas County Urban League will receive $81,130 for new computers and updated technological infrastructure. The goal is to increase reliable digital access to bolster economic opportunities in underserved communities.

Castor called the Urban League one of her “most valuable partners” in St. Pete. She said organizational leadership relayed their struggle to keep pace with continuously evolving technology.

Castor said securing the funding was easy as it aligned with congressional economic development initiatives. She also noted that the Urban League plays a prominent role in lowering local electricity costs by helping low-income residents weatherize their homes.

“The summers are so hot and go on for a longer period of time, and that impacts you if you work outside and want to enjoy our beautiful Sunshine City,” Castor said. “I don’t hear the climate skeptics that I used to … because the economics of it are right in front of them.”

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor was named the American Council on Renewable Energy’s Renewable Energy Champion in March 2023. Photo provided.

Sunshine City Magazine

Over 20 St. Patrick’s Day parties happening in Tampa Bay in 2024 | Tampa

Published

9 months ago

March 12, 2024

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Over 20 St. Patrick’s Day parties happening in Tampa Bay in 2024

St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner once again, and it’s always the best excuse to get a little buck-wild in between the forced romance of Valentine’s Day and the moral obligation of Easter and Mother’s Day. Dozens of bars, restaurants and other venues throughout Tampa Bay are throwing a wide range of parties, street festivals, brunches and even kid-friendly festivities to celebrate the beloved drinking holiday—and here are the best 20-ish celebrations we could find.

Did we miss your St. Patrick’s Day party? Submit your event to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s calendar, then email [email protected] to be added to this event roundup.

The ‘Biggest’ St. Paddy’s Day Party Palm Harbor’s go-to deli hosts a full week of food specials and live entertainment to commemorate its favorite holiday—from drinking tunes from The Irish Ramblers to bagpipe performances and traditional Irish step dance. Indulge in classic Lucky Dill dishes like its reuben egg rolls, hot pastrami sandwiches and corned beef and cabbage, plus whiskey tastings and giveaways on select days. Tuesday-Sunday, March 12-17. No cover. Various times. Lucky Dill Deli, 33180 US Highway 19 N, Palm Harbor. @LuckyDillDeli on Facebook

21st Annual MacPatrick Fest South Tampa hotspot MacDinton’s Irish Pub has been hosting its multi-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration for the past 21 years, and that just may be the median age of partygoers at 2024’s installment this weekend. Each day features its own drink specials, themes and giveaways, but Sunday’s “Green Kegs” breakfast, open bar and live entertainment is certainly the fest’s finale. Thursday-Sunday, March 14-17. 11 a.m.-3 a.m. $15 & up. MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S Howard Ave., Tampa. macdintons.com

St. Paddy’s Punk & Roll Cage Brewing hosts its own mini-fest featuring over 15 local musicians that will take turns sharing its outdoor stage this weekend, plus booze-friendly eats courtesy of Kraken Joe’s Pizza. Friday-Sunday, March 15-17. Various times. No cover (RSVP encouraged.) Cage Brewing, 2001 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. cagebrewing.com

St. Patrick’s Weekend & Irish Coffee Stout Release Move over green beer, there’s a new holiday brew in town. Crooked Thumb Brewery releases its exclusive Irish Coffee Stout, plus live music and food trucks all weekend-long. Friday-Sunday, March 15-17. Various times. No cover. Crooked Thumb Brewery, 555 10th Ave S, Safety Harbor. crookedthumbbrew.com.

Sips & Shenanigans Brunch Get some grub before Tampa’s River O’Green festival at Melting Pot Social’s special holiday brunch, complete with bottomless green mimosas, corned beef and cabbage and other classic brunch fare. Saturday, March 16. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $40. Melting Pot Social, 105 West Tyler St., Tampa. meltingpotsocial.com

Corey Avenue Street Party 2024’s rendition of this annual block party coincides with one of its longtime sponsors, Swigwam Beach Bar, but this all-day St. Patrick’s Day gig will definitely continue throughout Corey Avenue’s 300 Block. Soggy Bottom Boys, Beach Rats and Full Throttle provide entertainment. Saturday, March 16. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. No cover. 300 Block of Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach. @SwigwamBeachBar on Facebook.

St. Patrick’s Day Party & Mini-golf Tournament Largo’s resident farm and petting zoo hosts way more than kid’s birthday parties, as evidenced by its debut St. Patrick’s Day celebration this weekend. Flex your putting skills at its mini-golf tournament or relax with a beer and plate of corned beef and cabbage. Saturday, March 16. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. No cover (farm tours cost $10 per person). DK Farms & Gardens, 1750 Lake Ave SE, Largo. dkfarmsandgardens.com

Get Lucky Block Party Whiskey shots out of an ice luge and an open bar from 5 p.m.-7p.m. are the main draws of Bar HWRD’s holiday banger, which can either be a launching pad or end cap for a night of partying in South Tampa. Saturday, March 16. 5 p.m.-3 a.m. $10-$20. Bar HWRD, 302 South Howard Ave., Tampa. barhwrdtampa.com

River O’Green The City of Tampa’s family-friendly river-dyeing party returns to Curtis Hixon Park this weekend with kid activities, live entertainment, food trucks and green beer (for the parents.) Saturday, March 16. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. No cover. Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa. tampasdowntown.com

St. Patrick’s Day Bash by the Beach This beach-adjacent hotel hosts a night filled with whiskey tastings, perfectly poured pints of Guinness, live music and Irish-themed cocktails. 7Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17. Noon-8 p.m. No cover, Eventbrite RSVP recommended. Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, 100 Coronado Dr.,Clearwater. wyndhamgrandclearwater.com

2nd Annual Paddyfest Perhaps one of the most—if not the most—kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day celebrations returns to the heart of St. Pete this weekend, with tons of activities and entertainment in tow. Paddyfest St. Pete hosts a multitude of festivities including dozens of local vendors, food trucks slinging both Irish and American fare, whiskey tastings, a dedicated kids zone, live music and dancing, a wide variety of brews on tap and athletic performances from FSA Highland, a Florida-based organization that specializes in traditional Scottish sports like shot put, caber toss and sheaf toss.
Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17. Noon-9 p.m. No cover. Williams Park, 330 2nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. paddyfeststpete.com

Mary Margaret’s St. Patrick’s Weekend This Central Avenue-adjacent bar offers Irish vibes year-round, but they’re usually kicked up a notch during its weekend-long party, which includes live music, bagpipers, specials like corned beef and cabbage and tons of Guinness to wash it all down. Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17. 9 a.m.-3 a.m. No cover. 29 3rd St. N, St. Petersburg. marymargarets.com

St. Patrick’s Weekend Both days of Slizzy Mcgees’ annual party features live music from Flo-Raw and Stealing Crowns, local food trucks, specials on traditional Irish fare and of course, tons of booze. Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17. 11 a.m.-3 a.m. No cover. Slizzy Mcgee’s, 1159 62nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. @Slizzymcgees on Facebook

St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl This bar crawl throughout The ‘Burg kicks off at Welcome to the Farm and continues at various neighboring bars in downtown St. Pete. Ticket holders get drinks at each stop, access to food specials and specialty, holiday-themed cocktails. Sunday, March 17. $9.99 & up. Welcome To The Farm, 242 1st Ave. N St Petersburg. pubcrawls.com

St. Patrick’s Day Open Mic Night A nice, sober or low-key option for St. Patrick’s Day if barhopping and late nights isn’t your jam. RSVPs are recommended for this free-to-attend open mic night with craft beer, wine and kava available for purchase.
Sunday, March 17. 3 p.m.-8 p.m. No cover. The Village Courtyard, Beach Boulevard South Gulfport. @villagecourtyard on Facebook

Flanagan’s St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival Billed as one of the “largest St. Patrick’s Day festivals in Florida,” Flanagan’s annual party features a full lineup of music and entertainment from noon-8 p.m. and lots of flowing green beer. Sunday, March 17. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. No cover. Flanagan’s Irish Pub, 465 Main St., Dunedin. @flanagansirishpub on Facebook

8th Annual Block Party If you aren’t ready to stop drinking after Paddyfest at Williams Park, then head to The Galley’s annual festivity complete with live music, plenty of Guinness, whiskey and Irish food specials. Sunday, March 17. 11:30 a.m.-3 a.m. No cover. The Galley, 27 4th Street N , St. Petersburg. @TheGalleyDTSP on Facebook

Sober St. Patrick’s Day No hangover, no problem. This Clearwater kava house hosts a laid-back holiday party filled with N/A drink specials and screenings of St. Patrick’s Day-themed movies. Sunday, March 18. 8 p.m.-midnight. No cover. Kava House Brand, 11141 US Highway 19 N #408 Clearwater. kavahousebrand.com

St. Patrick’s Day at Caddy’s on the Beach Caddy’s locations on Indian Rocks Beach (20025 Gulf Blvd.), Madeira Beach (14080 Gulf Blvd.), Treasure Island (9000 W Gulf Blvd.) and Johns Pass (190 Boardwalk PI.) all host their own holiday parties with cheap drinks, raffles, giveaways, live entertainment and free green tea shots for anyone rocking the color of the evening. Sunday, March 17. 11 a.m.-1 a.m. No cover. Various locations. caddys.com

O’Briens Irish Pub’s annual St. Patrick’s Event Step dancers, bagpipers and local acts like Noodles Magoo, The Headbang, Wyndbreakers and Nicaea provide the entertainment this weekend at Carollwood’s O’Briens Irish Pub, which just celebrated its 33rd anniversary. Sunday, March 17. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. $20. O’Briens Irish Pub, 15435 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. obrienspubstampa.com

O’Maddy’s Annual Waterfront Party Waterfront gulfport pub O’Maddy’s hosts one of the most popular St. Patrick’s Day parties each March, and 2024’s rendition offers plenty of flowing green beer, Irish fare and music from Pete & Dean Trio, Horses Wild and The Horny Toads. Sunday, March 17. 10 a.m.-midnight. No cover. O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille, 5405 Shore Blvd. S, Gulfport. @omaddys on Facebook

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