A monthly block party on St. Petersburg\u2019s Central Avenue, between 2nd and 3rd Streets, has been a tradition for more than 25 years. However, First Friday is in jeopardy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Nightlife Productions, LLC director of operations Kristen Lee, the City of St. Petersburg has increased fees for services such as police department protection and sanitation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were sent four months\u2019 worth of bills from the City a week ago,\u201d she explained. \u201cDepending on the month, they increased by approximately 37 to 56%.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Due to the rising costs, Lee said, the future of the event is uncertain. This has changed the budget \u201cdramatically.\u201d It will be more difficult to pay for essential expenses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose increases would\u2019ve been approved during the FY 2026 budget process,\u201d\u00a0City spokesperson Samantha Bequer told the Catalyst, \u201cwhich is ultimately approved by council.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
To \u201cbridge the gap\u201d and keep admission free, more sponsorships are needed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, it costs about $15,000 to 17,000 to run the event and that\u2019s with city services and insurance,\u201d Lee added. \u201cThere\u2019s no profit for us at all.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next First Friday is scheduled for April 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. <\/p>\n
Nightlife Productions and the Lay-Lee Foundation, Inc. began to organize the event after the Covid-19 pandemic. Previously, it was run by the St. Petersburg Breakfast Optimist Club.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lee, who is the lead singer of local rock band 22N, had performed at First Friday many times prior to overseeing the gathering.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a historical event and we\u2019d like to see it keep going more than anything,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019d also like to keep it in the same location.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n