News Summary
The St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg hosted hundreds of attendees on 727 Day, celebrating local businesses and the pier’s fifth anniversary. Participants enjoyed community activities, exclusive deals, and food from local vendors. Despite some setbacks, the event highlighted the importance of supporting local commerce and brought together families and residents to foster community spirit.
St. Petersburg Celebrates 727 Day and the 5th Anniversary of the Pier’s Reopening
St. Petersburg, FL – Hundreds gathered at the St. Pete Pier on July 27 to celebrate 727 Day, an event centered on supporting local businesses while commemorating the fifth anniversary of the pier’s reopening. The celebration kicked off at the exciting hour of 7:27 a.m.
This lively event featured more than 100 local businesses, showcasing their products and services as part of the festivities. Attendees participated in various community activities, including running events of different distances. The highlight of the day was a mobile passport available for visitors, allowing access to exclusive deals at numerous restaurants, shops, and attractions in the area.
While the weather remained hot, the enthusiasm from the locals and visitors was palpable. Participants not only enjoyed the supportive environment for diverse businesses but also partook in various giveaways. Exclusive 727 Day t-shirts sold out rapidly, reflecting the event’s popularity. Additionally, local food vendors, like Big Red BBQ, celebrated their five-year anniversary since the pier’s reopening, serving delicious meals to satisfy the crowd.
Jason Latimer, the Director of Public Relations at Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, characterized 727 Day as Pinellas County’s biggest unofficial holiday, underlining its significance to both residents and tourists. The tourism sector plays an essential role in the local economy, attracting over 15 million visitors annually, contributing an $11 billion economic impact, and providing jobs for over 100,000 residents.
Activities and Events
The day featured community-centric activities, deal-sharing opportunities, and giveaways that spread across the weekend. The event also included an interactive tech showcase on the pier, highlighting innovations in artificial intelligence, robotics, and virtual reality. This showcase not only entertained attendees but also educated them about advancements in technology.
One of the planned highlights—a stunning light show using drones—was canceled due to inclement weather conditions, impacting the evening celebrations. Despite the setback, the 727 Day festivities went ahead as planned, fostering community spirit and encouraging local commerce.
Community Participation
Local resident Brandon Bell expressed his excitement about participating in the event alongside his children, illustrating the day’s appeal to families. The activities and local businesses’ engagement in the event provided an excellent opportunity for residents to not only enjoy the pier but also to support their community.
Many vendors utilized this day to showcase their strengths, aiming to expand their customer base through active participation. With a range of community activities and business showcases, the event successfully blended entertainment, education, and local commerce, marking a significant moment for the residents of St. Petersburg.
As the sun set, attendees left the pier grateful for a day well spent, eager for next year’s celebration, further cementing 727 Day as a cherished local tradition.
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Additional Resources
- ABC Action News
- Wikipedia: St. Petersburg, Florida
- Fox 13 News
- Google Search: 727 Day
- WTSP News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Petersburg
- I Love the Burg
- Google News: 727 Day St. Petersburg
- St. Pete Catalyst
- Google Scholar: 727 Day event
- WFLA News
