The 79th annual Fiesta Day took over five blocks of East Seventh Avenue in historic Ybor City on Feb. 21, drawing thousands to the free street festival.
Presented by J.C. Newman Cigar Co., the event commemorates the Cuban, Italian, Spanish, Jewish and German immigrants who settled in Ybor City in the late 1800s as cigar factories fueled the neighborhood’s growth. The festival originated as an organized day of rest for cigar factory workers.
This year’s celebration featured ethnic food, live music, local artists and craft vendors along the famed “La Setima,” as Seventh Avenue is known.
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The 79th Fiesta Day parade of flags heads west on Seventh Avenue in Ybor City on Feb. 21.
The Parade of Flags, representing countries from around the world, makes its way down Seventh Avenue in Ybor City.
Victoria Posada of Tampa, left, points out activities along Seventh Avenue to her mother, Sor Posada, also of Tampa, with one of the neighborhood’s many murals as a backdrop.
A J.C. Newman Cigar Co. employee wears one of the company’s classic ball caps at a promotional table along Seventh Avenue during the annual Fiesta Day event.
Dalonde’ Clark, a J.C. Newman Cigar Co. employee, promotes the company’s cigars during Fiesta Day in Ybor City.
Dalonde’ Clark shows off the Jose Gaspar cigar, a product of J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
Myles Mittera, 4, left, and Aisley Barse, 8, snack in sync curbside along Seventh Avenue during Fiesta Day in Ybor City. Their mothers, Lauren Mittera and Michelle Mannor, were nearby.
Kristine of Tampa watches the action along the sidewalk during Fiesta Day. She said she was in Ybor City for a separate event featuring disc jockeys in a second-floor ballroom.
Festivalgoers head toward the entertainment stage during Fiesta Day in Ybor City.
A duo performs its version of the “Brady Bunch” theme song for the Fiesta Day crowd.
Members of the dance troupe Fuego Flamenco perform during the 79th Fiesta Day event in Ybor City.
Festivalgoers applaud as the Fuego Flamenco dancers wrap up their performance.
Dean Williams of Tampa carries his dog, Tuna, a 2-year-old pug, along Seventh Avenue during the 79th Fiesta Day.
Taylor Durdan records stories from passersby about Ybor City for his blog along Seventh Avenue.
Sam Wang of Tampa, right, tries to coax his son, Hans Wang, 3, into trying a Tico bakery item. Wang said it was their first time attending Fiesta Day.
Carmine’s, one of the businesses along Seventh Avenue, offered a special food menu for Fiesta Day.
The Sterling Cigar Lounge and Bar had a tent set up offering cigars at various prices.
Pizza Paul from the Tampa Fringe group keeps the laughs coming as he makes his way along Seventh Avenue during Fiesta Day. He declined to give his real name.
A cigar store Indian stands watch over the Fiesta Day festivities along Seventh Avenue.
A copy of the book “Cigar City” is displayed at the J.C. Newman Cigar Co. tent along Seventh Avenue.
Supporters gather outside the tent for circuit court judge candidate Nina McGucken Alvarez. In the background, Lars Larson arrives with his son, Lars Larson, 4, on his shoulders.
Art students from Hillsborough Community College’s Ybor City campus display their work during Fiesta Day. The pieces, created in media including India ink and oil ink, were produced by students in the visual and performing arts programs.
Todd Swift of Wesley Chapel takes a break with friends and relatives next to the cigar store Indian at Nicahabana Cigar on Seventh Avenue.
Prints of Ybor City’s roaming chickens draw festivalgoers to the Tabanero Cigar store along Seventh Avenue.
A model of the old J.C. Newman Cigar Co. building sits curbside on Seventh Avenue as festivalgoers take in the 79th Fiesta Day.
The Tampa Bay Rays mascot and a companion make their way along Seventh Avenue to draw attention to the team’s promotional tent during Fiesta Day.
The 79th Fiesta Day parade of flags heads west on Seventh Avenue in Ybor City on Feb. 21.
The Parade of Flags, representing countries from around the world, makes its way down Seventh Avenue in Ybor City.
Victoria Posada of Tampa, left, points out activities along Seventh Avenue to her mother, Sor Posada, also of Tampa, with one of the neighborhood’s many murals as a backdrop.
A J.C. Newman Cigar Co. employee wears one of the company’s classic ball caps at a promotional table along Seventh Avenue during the annual Fiesta Day event.
Dalonde’ Clark, a J.C. Newman Cigar Co. employee, promotes the company’s cigars during Fiesta Day in Ybor City.
Dalonde’ Clark shows off the Jose Gaspar cigar, a product of J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
Myles Mittera, 4, left, and Aisley Barse, 8, snack in sync curbside along Seventh Avenue during Fiesta Day in Ybor City. Their mothers, Lauren Mittera and Michelle Mannor, were nearby.
Kristine of Tampa watches the action along the sidewalk during Fiesta Day. She said she was in Ybor City for a separate event featuring disc jockeys in a second-floor ballroom.
Festivalgoers head toward the entertainment stage during Fiesta Day in Ybor City.
A duo performs its version of the “Brady Bunch” theme song for the Fiesta Day crowd.
Members of the dance troupe Fuego Flamenco perform during the 79th Fiesta Day event in Ybor City.
Festivalgoers applaud as the Fuego Flamenco dancers wrap up their performance.
Dean Williams of Tampa carries his dog, Tuna, a 2-year-old pug, along Seventh Avenue during the 79th Fiesta Day.
Taylor Durdan records stories from passersby about Ybor City for his blog along Seventh Avenue.
Sam Wang of Tampa, right, tries to coax his son, Hans Wang, 3, into trying a Tico bakery item. Wang said it was their first time attending Fiesta Day.
Carmine’s, one of the businesses along Seventh Avenue, offered a special food menu for Fiesta Day.
The Sterling Cigar Lounge and Bar had a tent set up offering cigars at various prices.
Pizza Paul from the Tampa Fringe group keeps the laughs coming as he makes his way along Seventh Avenue during Fiesta Day. He declined to give his real name.
A cigar store Indian stands watch over the Fiesta Day festivities along Seventh Avenue.
A copy of the book “Cigar City” is displayed at the J.C. Newman Cigar Co. tent along Seventh Avenue.
Supporters gather outside the tent for circuit court judge candidate Nina McGucken Alvarez. In the background, Lars Larson arrives with his son, Lars Larson, 4, on his shoulders.
Art students from Hillsborough Community College’s Ybor City campus display their work during Fiesta Day. The pieces, created in media including India ink and oil ink, were produced by students in the visual and performing arts programs.
Todd Swift of Wesley Chapel takes a break with friends and relatives next to the cigar store Indian at Nicahabana Cigar on Seventh Avenue.
Prints of Ybor City’s roaming chickens draw festivalgoers to the Tabanero Cigar store along Seventh Avenue.
A model of the old J.C. Newman Cigar Co. building sits curbside on Seventh Avenue as festivalgoers take in the 79th Fiesta Day.
The Tampa Bay Rays mascot and a companion make their way along Seventh Avenue to draw attention to the team’s promotional tent during Fiesta Day.