Fiesta Day in Ybor City is a time for food, fun, and relaxation. In the 1800s, it started as a day of rest for Ybor City cigar workers. Now it has become an overall celebration of ethnic diversity. Ybor City will have its 76th Fiesta Day on Saturday, February 25.
The history of Fiesta Day in Ybor City
By the late 1800s, Ybor City was already the “Cigar Capital of the World.” Primarily an immigrant district, Ybor City was full of Spanish, Italian, Cuban, and German immigrants and African Americans. Fiesta Day was always held in the winter and had two distinct parts. First was the Promenade of Flags. This is a parade where participants proudly hold their flag up high as they march from Nebraska to 10th Avenue. The other part was the Heritage Trail. This featured people dressing in different outfits representing their unique culture.
Fiesta Day was also seen as Ybor City’s alternative to Gasparilla. During this event, most of 7th Avenue shut down as vendors set up tents to sell souvenirs and food. One of the most popular dishes was Spanish Bean Soup. This dish was similar to the cigar workers’ food in the early days of Ybor.
Fiesta Day now
Fiesta Day still attracts thousands of people each year. Tons of local vendors line the streets of 7th Avenue to sell crafts, food, art, and more. There’s live music and performances by local artists. This year will include opera singers, Columbia flamenco dancers, Nita Laca and Friends, and much more.
Historic clubs like the L’Unione Italiana and the Circulo Cubano take part and celebrate the different cultures that make up Ybor. The Ybor City Chamber of Commerce hosts the events and works hard to ensure Fiesta Day highlights everything Ybor City has to offer. The event is on February, 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on 7th Avenue.
Here’s the schedule for the main entertainment this Fiesta Day
