Shopapalooza Festival 2024 Vendors Come Together to Raise $4,500 for Local Non-Profit Live Love St. Pete

LocalShops1, the organizer of the Shopapalooza Festival offered vendors the opportunity to donate $150 to Live Love St Pete a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In exchange for a “cut the line” option during check-in for their holiday extravaganza that is expected to be largest Small Business Saturday and Sunday event in the nation. Donations from this initiative totaling $4,500 were made directly to Live Love St. Pete.

“We offered an opportunity where the vendors get to check-in and claim their setup space a couple of hours earlier than their normally scheduled arrival time. The option was available for up to 30 vendors, on a first-come/first-served basis. Thank you to the Shopapalooza vendors for coming together to give back to a good cause to help children,” says Ester Venouziou, LocalShops1 and Shopapalooza founder. Live Love St. Pete was founded by St. Petersburg resident Melody Proud, who has a passion to help underserved school children in the area.

Businesses who donated include 15 Olives, Beach Blossom Studio, Bodacious Pens, Casey’s Collections, Dr. BBQ, FnP Accessories (Crushable Seagrass Hats and BigSkinny Wallets), For the Bay Clothing Co., Foutaz , Gatherings by Angel, Gifts, Decor and More, Gnome Sweet Gnome, Great Scott Designs, Irish Ann, Jerky Man Dan’s, Just Cause Chocolates , Love, Liz Xo Designs, Luxenberry, Magni’s Munchies and More , Mama Mel’s Pet Food, MnM Makings, My Backyard Babies, Petals and Glow, Sew Fun Threads, ShapeShifter Fish and Friends, Silked, Sunny South Love, The Jagged Oyster, The Salty Shell Shop, Two Chubby Seacows, Walking Dog Toys and ZPlantMagic.

“We’re so grateful for the generosity of Shopapalooza vendors! Their generous donations will help us provide school uniforms for hundreds of under privileged students in St. Pete, as well as gift cards for families in need during the holiday season,” said Live Love St. Pete founder Melody Proud. With the vendor donations the organization was able to get school uniforms for 500 children.

LocalShop’s1 Shopapalooza is a free community festival that will take place on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 from 10 am to 5 pm. More than 350 local makers, small businesses and entertainers are coming together at St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park (701 Bayshore Dr NE) on Thanksgiving Weekend. The 2-day extravaganza celebrates local businesses, local arts, local tastes, local music, and the local vibe that makes Tampa Bay such a special place. The event, co-sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg.

With more than 350 local makers and small businesses participating, Shopapalooza is expected to be the biggest Small Business Saturday (and Sunday!) celebration in the nation, Shopapalooza is a fun and easy way for families to do kick off their holiday dreams while shopping, drinking, dining and supporting local makers and small businesses.

A complete list of the 350 + participating businesses will be announced in the next few months at shopapaloozafestival.com. Admission to Shopapalooza is free and open to the public. Registration is not required, but those who do sign up are entered into a free drawing for a $500 shopping spree. There will be one winner each day. The event, co-sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg, is family-friendly and well-behaved pets on leashes are welcomed.

Free trolley rides to and from Shopapalooza will be available 9:30am-6 pm Nov 30 and Dec. 1 from South Core Garage, Second St S between Central Avenue & First Ave. and Vinoy Park (at 7th Ave NE & Bayshore Drive).

HERE IS WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Free Admission!

• 350+ Local Shops, Artists, Makers and local Nonprofits, featuring gourmet food products, home decor, handcrafted jewelry, clothing and accessories, health and beauty products, fair trade goods, vintage finds, pet treats and toys, books, candles and more. Many booths will offer BOGOs, holiday specials, and new merchandise not yet available elsewhere. The vendor lineup will be available at shopapaloozafestival.com starting Nov 1. This year’s nonprofit partners are St. Pete Youth Farm and Jump for Kids.

• Four food halls each featuring snacks, drinks, entrees and desserts for everyone. Selections from more than 40 restaurants, bakeries and food trucks include options for vegans and carnivores, and whether looking to stay healthy or indulge!

• Local Beer Garden with all proceeds going directly to nonprofit Jump for Kids.

• $500 Shopping Spree for a lucky shopper each day! It is FREE to enter this raffle. Registration is required and the winner must be present to receive a prize. Visit www.shopapaloozafestival.com/win-500.html for details!

• Kids Zone organized by Sensory Studio features crafts, play and learning stations, photo opportunities with Princesses and Santa, music playtime and more. The section also includes food and dessert trucks, animal rescues, and vendors specializing in gifts for children and parents.

• Main Stage features local bands and performers throughout the weekend. Plus, additional entertainment throughout the park!

• Santa Rampage, Parade and Costume Contest will take place Shopapalooza Day 2 (Sunday, December 1). Details coming closer to the event.

• Ink the Bay Zone, featuring live art demonstrations and hands-on experiences

• 10,000-square foot Glam Outdoor Lounge by VPN Studios.

Shopapalooza Festival is produced by LocalShops1 and co-sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg. Our nonprofit partners are Jump for Kids and St Pete Youth Farm. Sponsors include:
Gold level Florida Blue, Kitchens Today, Leaf Filter, Momentum Solar, Cellular Sales, T-Mobile Fiber, Farkas Chiropractic Clinic, and Craft Body Scan;

Silver level All American Gutter Protection, B Fresh Gear, Beach Sand Babe Jewelry, CocoRoo Natural Skincare, Forever Sticky, Gulf Coast Custom Designs, Hello Sweeteez Freeze Dried Candy and More, Morgan Exteriors, Renewal by Andersen, St Pete 420, The Vinyl Image, Westgate Resorts Marketing, Arnold Jewelers, Curated Phases, Florida Roofing Co. + Custom Copper Creations, New Hotel Collection Furman Marketing, The Honey Couple, Alpha Maui;

Media and marketing partners I Love the Burg, MOR Tampa Bay, WMNF, Radio St. Pete, St. Pete Rising, GoLive Tampa Bay and That’s So Tampa;

In-kind sponsors and section partners SIK Promotions, Island Flavors And Tings, VPN Studio, The Rustic Avenue Bar, Sensory Studio, Ink the Bay, Moorman Photographics, Luxe Flush and St Pete Shopping Co.;
Beer Garden Sponsors 3 Daughters Brewing Mastry’s Brewing Co., Bob Lee’s Tire Pros, Compass Land & Title and Good Night John Boy.