Waterfront Parks Centennial Celebration, St. Petersburg, Florida

The "traveling" exhibit offers old and new photos from the waterfront, a slide show, waterfront park history and Centennial Celebration event information. The exhibit will be on display through the rest of the 2010 centennial year as it "travels" to a variety of public locations such as libraries, museums, galleries and city hall. Upcoming locations include St. Petersburg Museum of History (July 31 - August 8); Sunken Gardens ((August 9 - August 22), the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club (August 25-Sept. 16 and the Sunshine Center (Sept. 17 - September 27).

For the serious photographer, young or old, submit your best waterfront park photos to the juried waterfront photo contest. Cash prizes separately awarded in youth (under 18) and adult divisions! No entry fee! Go to the Photo Contest tab on the leftside of the home page for contest categories and to review all of the rules. Winners will be announced at "Party in the Parks" on Saturday, November 6.

Music, poetry, and portrayals of historic figures, followed by audience interaction and Q&A with an expert panel. The third event in this series will be Thursday evening, September 23 at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel, reception at 6 pm, program at 7 pm. Hear St. Petersburg's poet laureate Peter Meinke in the premiere reading of his waterfront centennial poem followed by a panel discussion examining how other cities have designed and created the best of waterfront parks. The panel will include local architect Tim Clemmons, University of Miami professor Rocco Ceo and Washington D.C. landscape architect Ed Hamm.

If you came to May Music & Movies you had a great time, if you missed the chance another opportunity is coming to enjoy free music & movies outdoors on the waterfront! Mark down on your calendar Thursday evenings in October for music & a movie. Each evening will start with one of the best of Florida's folk artist muscians followed by a movie on the "blow-up" screen in North Straub Park as the sun sets. Come early, grab a choice location and enjoy some of the food offerings from one of the favorite Saturday Morning Market vendors. Sign up for our newsletter from the homepage so you will get the movie schedule as it is announced!

Save the date...Saturday, November 6, 2010. "Party in the Parks" promises to be one of the biggest events of the year in downtown St. Pete. The waterfront park system will host a birthday celebration you are sure to remember! The SPIFF's 36th annual Folk Fair will fill Vinoy Park, an old fashioned family fun picnic will take place in North Straub Park, tour a Coast Guard patrol boat, look at planes at Albert Whitted, enjoy live music at eight different stages. The choices and activites will be almost countless and the day will end with a free movie in the park. If you haven't signed up for the Centennial newsletter do so now on the website homepage so you can be sure not to miss out on the party of the year - Party in the Parks!

Local artist Carrie Jadus has created the beautiful painting, A Day in Straub Park, part of which you see displayed on the website homepage. This artwork is used on the centennial commemorative poster and on the front of the centennial notecards. The notecards make great gifts and the poster is a beautiful piece to frame and hang on the wall of your St. Petersburg home commemorating 100 years of waterfront parks. Carrie has donated the use of her artwork so that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these items support the Centennial Celebration and help to ensure all of the events are free for you to enjoy. Support the Celebration and purchase a pack of notecards or a poster. You can either purchase directly from the website or from one of the local shops listed at the gift shop section of the website.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve and the waterfront parks centennial in downtown St. Pete. Join our history treasure hunt. Locate historic landmarks. Receive a “treasure” for each one found and a special prize if you find all five!

If you missed this fun event on New Year's Eve, you will have another chance to find the historic landmarks and to receive your treasure at "Party in the Parks" on November 6!

Enjoy free movies and music each Thursday evening in May in North Straub Park, near the Vinoy Hotel. Start the weekend early and relax while watching popular movies in a beautiful waterfront park setting. Bring your chair or blanket or rent a chair for $5. Food and drink from some of the favorite vendors featured at the Saturday Morning Market will be for sale . Movies will start at dark but come early as starting at 7 pm live Florida folk music will be played. Free parking & shuttle from the North Shore parking lot (Beach Drive & 7th Ave. NE). Movies underwritten by Sylvia Rusche State Farm Insurance. Thursday, May 27 will feature Carry Grant in the classic "Arsenic and Old Lace." Before the movie enjoy the music of Valerie Wisecracker.

Studio @ 620 and the Downtown Waterfront Parks Centennial Celebration Committee present the best of student waterfront park photos in an exhibit April 27 -30. Meet the students and enjoy an opening night reception on Tuesday, April 27 at 6:30 pm. The Studio is located at 620 1st Avenue South. The photos will be on display for the "Perspective on the Parks" event on April 29 at Studio @ 620.