A cropped photo showing the G. Gordon McFly skateboarding gecko statue in Gulfport, Florida on May 3, 2026. Credit: Del Harper / Shutterstock
Inspired in part by the United Kingdom’s Monster Raving Loony Party, Gulfport resident Marlene Shaw had a pretty simple vision for the seaside town’s Labor Day weekend party. She saw “music, color, costume, and characters who treated politics like performance art,” according to a new piece published in the town’s indie newspaper the Gabber.
“Somewhere between British eccentricity and American festival magic, an idea took root: a festival and parade that let Gulfport show off its downtown, its businesses, its whole delightfully whimsical self — with everyone, absolutely everyone, invited to walk in it,” she added.
Now in its 26th year, Geckofest returns this weekend and is themed as a music awards show, encouraging locals and visitors to dress like their favorite musician as festivities unfurl for 10 hours across downtown.
There’s no cover for Geckofest 2026 happening in downtown Gulfport on Saturday, Sept. 5.
This article appears in August 27 – September 02, 2026.
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Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief…
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