This Weekend in Gulfport…and More

Get Ready For Gecko World!!

The GMC on Great Day Live Tampa

The GMC’s Executive Director, Aimee Kosta and Board Member, Kelli Garcia had the great fortune of being invited to Great Day Live Tampa to be interviewed by the lovely Java & Janelle to talk about all things Gecko!! Click below to watch the segment.

GECKO POKER CRAWL TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Tickets for the Annual Gecko Poker Crawl are now on sale at The Gulfport Beach Bazaar and The Gulfport Corner Store. Tickets are $25 and include one drink at each of the 6 bar crawl locations. Poker Only tickets are available for $10. Tickets are also available online and can be picked up the day of the Crawl at the Tiki Bar & Grill or The North End Taphouse. Tickets are also available for purchase the day of.

3rd Saturday IndieFaire

Join us for our 3rd Saturday IndieFaire on Saturday, August 17th as we fill the streets with a variety of vendors! This month’s Faire will be taking place along with our Gecko Poker Crawl so get ready for an extra festive evening!

Stella’s Divine Wine And Gourmet Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

Join us as we welcome the newest edition of the Stella’s Family to the Gulfport Merchants Chamber Family!

GECKO QUEEN VOTING ENDS AUGUST 18th

Who Will Be Gulfport’s Next Gecko Queen?

It’s time to choose your Queen! Public in-person voting will begin on July 22nd. Ballots will be available at The Gulfport Beach Bazaar, The Gulfport Corner Store and The Gulfport Merchants Chamber Welcome Center. Be sure to get your vote in!

The winner will be announced and crowned at the Gecko Ball! 

One ballot per person, please.

GECKO BALL TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!

Get your Gecko Ball tickets at The Beach Bazaar or The Gulfport Corner Store! Don’t miss your chance to attend the most cherished event in Gulfport. This year’s theme is “Live From Gulfport, It’s Gecko Night”! Dress as your favorite Saturday Night Live skit or just wear your finest Gulfport Glam. Don’t miss the Event of the Year! Individual tickets are $30. Reserved tables are $400 (seats 10) and are only available at the Beach Bazaar. Individual tickets are also available online. Click below.

GeckoEats

 Hey Gulfport! The biggest party of the year is here—dancing, auctions, costumes, and more. But this year, let GeckoEats handle the food!  Five local restaurants are bringing the feast to you. Order online using the link on your ticket or below, and your meal will be waiting when you arrive. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the party—less time cooking, more time perfecting your costume! 

Follow the link to delicious GeckoEats: https://geckoballeats.square.site/ 

Get Ready For GeckoFest!

The Gulfport Merchants Chamber is thrilled to announce the 24th Annual Gecko Fest, set to take place on Saturday, August 31, 2024, from 10 AM to 10 PM along Gulfport’s scenic waterfront on Beach Blvd. This year’s theme, “Live From Gulfport, It’s Gecko Night!” promises a vibrant, fun-filled event featuring a costume parade, live music, street performers, and a variety of food and craft vendors. Gecko Fest is held in collaboration with SIK Promotions and the City of Gulfport. Admission and parking are free.

First held in 2001, Gecko Fest began as an end-of-summer celebration and has since grown into one of Tampa Bay’s most anticipated annual events. Known for its lively mix of artistic energy and community spirit, the festival features a costume contest and parade, wandering street performers, and two stages with live music. The event has been proudly organized by the Gulfport Merchants Chamber since 2004.

Gecko Fest is preceded each year by the Gecko Art Show, Gecko Crawl, and Gecko Ball. All events are hosted by the non-profit Gulfport Merchants Chamber, with a portion of proceeds from the Gecko World events donated back to the community. This year’s recipients include the REACH! Food Program for Kids, Selah Freedom, and the Sonia Plotnick Health Fund.

The 10th Annual Gulfport Fine Arts Festival

Applications are now being accepted for this cherished juried art show.

Call For Volunteers

OUT Arts & Culture needs you. Click the link for more information.

The GMC needs YOU!

The Gulfport Merchants Chamber is in need of Volunteers! We believe in the power of collective action, and we’re reaching out to you because we need dedicated volunteers like you to help us make a difference.

Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and their contributions are invaluable. Whether you have a few hours to spare each week or want to get involved in a specific project, your time and skills can have a meaningful impact.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Our new Welcome Center located at 5317 Gulfport Blvd. S. serves as the first point of contact for visitors, newcomers, and those seeking information about our organization. Volunteers like you play a crucial role in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making our guests feel comfortable, and providing them with the information they need.

Event Ambassadors play a vital role in creating a positive and memorable experience for attendees, guests and participants. You will get to be a part of some of our amazing events in Gulfport!

Use the link below to sign up for different volunteer opportunities!

Gulfport’s Tuesday Market

Every Tuesday, 9am-2pm

Dive into freshness at Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market! Every Tuesday, enjoy open-air shopping for fruits, veggies, local art, and more. Skip crowded supermarkets and support local vendors. After shopping, grab a meal from our restaurants and savor it in our scenic parks or by the beach. #GulfportFreshMarket #ShopLocal #SociallyDistancedShopping#FreshAndLocal #GulfportLife

Want to showcase your goods? Become a vendor! Apply here: https://visitgulfportflorida.com/gulfport-tuesday-market #VendorOpportunity #JoinUs

Members Only: Free Small Business Consultation with The Small Business Development Center

Every Third Thursday, 9am-2pm By Appointment

The Florida SBDC at PCED has partnered with the local community to make confidential consulting available wherever you may be. Debra Schweikowsky, our professionally certified business consultant, specializes in finance and capital access and helps local business owners with growth strategies to realize their goals.

To get started, contact Debra directly to schedule a confidential appointment at 727.453.7108, or email dschweikowsky@pinellas.gov.

Aimee Kosta
Executive Director
info@visitgulfportflorida.com

Copyright © 2024  Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
info@visitgulfportflorida.com