ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A monthly staple for decades along Central Avenue and touted as the city's "biggest block party," First Friday St. Pete is on an unexpected hiatus. The reason for the pause centers around a lack of funding, organizers say.
On Nov. 26, First Friday St. Pete organizers wrote the event would still be on hold "for now." In a Facebook post, organizers explained that each First Friday event costs about $12,000 to put on — that includes things such as insurance, city sanitation and police, permits and production.
The monthly event doesn't turn a profit for the company behind First Friday St. Pete, according to organizers. Couple that with a "lack of interest from local businesses" or bigger companies to sponsor the event, First Friday St. Pete does "not have the funds at this time" to continue. Part of this is due to a lack of sponsors according to event organizers.
The last First Friday St. Pete event was back in October. This November and December were both canceled.
Event organizers did thank businesses and individuals who have reached out to help and put the call out to others who are interested in sponsoring the event to reach out. "We are hoping for a change in all this soon," organizers said in part.
Business owners are happy to support the event because of the money it brings in. "For business it is one of the best nights of the month for business. We do pull in the most money that weekend," the General Manager of the Crafty Squirrel, Lauren Ambrosio said.
According to First Friday St. Pete, the Breakfast Optimist Club ran the event for 20 years, dating back to 2000. That all changed in 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. After a bit of a hiatus, the event was resurrected by the Lay-Lee Foundation, Inc. and Nightlife Productions, LLC, its website said.
Those with Nightlife Productions, LLC told 10 Tampa Bay they're struggling to put the event on without having the funding.
"Financially we can’t hold onto the event unless we find some funding for it," Operations Direction Kristen Lee said.
Lee explained December's event was canceled and it's likely January will be as well. They hope to have the event back in place in February.
First Friday St. Pete says the city's biggest block party not only provides a great time for families with food, music and fun but also raises money for charities.