Concerts, pub crawls, a pool party, a fashion show in the rain, a 24-foot dinosaur in a bar and Ybor charm; it all came together during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. An estimated 20,000 people reveled at Ybor City’s 3rd annual GaYbor Days. With over 50 events planned from June 30–July 5,, there was never a dull moment.
“We went from zero people in Ybor on July 4 a few years ago, to thousands,” MC Film Fest co-owner and GaYbor District Coalition co-founder, Mark Bias said.
The festivities kicked off on Wednesday, June 30, at Hamburger Mary’s at Centro Ybor for “Drag Bingo,” where more than $1,100 was raised for the GaYbor Coalition.
Thursday, July 1 marked the official opening GaYbor Days 2010 VIP Reception, held at Chelsea Nightclub. Despite torrential downpours, a festive group of more than 100 people still made it to the party. Then, later that night, a few hopefuls participated in the amateur drag contest at The Ybor Social on 15th Street.
On Friday, July 2, hundreds braved the heat and rain to attend the 1st Annual 15th Street Health Fair. Later that night it was “GaYbor Movie Night” at Muvico in Centro Ybor for a viewing of Ghost of Ybor: Charlie Wall. Then, revelers went to Hamburger Mary’s for the 10:30 p.m. drag show.
The Official GaYbor Days theme party, “Enter the Ice Age!” was held during Steam Fridays at The Honey Pot. Huge chunks of ice dangled from the ceiling and at one point in the evening a 24 foot dinosaur even ambled across the bar! International DJ David Knapp kept the crowd grooving until the early morning hours.
Saturday, July 3, commenced with the PLAY Music Festival at PLAY Ybor. After an afternoon of amazing live performances, the biggest event of the weekend, the official GaYbor Days Bar Crawl, began at The Reservoir on Seventh Avenue. Those that weren’t too exhausted headed to G. Bar for the sold out performances by Lori Michaels, Charice and female impersonator Derrick Barry as Lady Gaga. For something a little edgier, there was “Leather Dance 5” at The Ybor Eagle where adult film stars Matthew Rush and Samuel Colt performed.
The climax of GaYbor Days came on Sunday, July 4, at The Honey Pot. International recording artist and Erasure front man Andy Bell performed to a sold out crowd. Afterwards, he met with eager fans for a meet and greet. But the extravaganza didn’t end there. When it was learned that RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant, Pandora Boxx was in the audience, she graced the crowd with an impromptu performance.
Thanks to the businesses and members of the GaYbor District Coalition, GaYbor Days has become a GLBTA Annual Neighborhood Pride Celebration. Visitors from as far as Miami, New York, Santa Fe and Los Angeles were in attendance. According to Bias, that shows why Ybor was named one of “Florida’s Gayest Places” by Logo.
“This was the best GaYbor Days yet,” Bias said. “We’re looking forward to next year.”
