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Tarpon Police To Oversee Two Mega-Events

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: February 14, 2009

TARPON SPRINGS - City commissioners were surprised to learn two mega-events will converge in what will be a crowded downtown, the same day and time in late March - the annual Greek Independence Day Parade and Tarpon Springs Chamber's Fine Art Show.

The Chamber of Commerce traditionally plans the art show, its biggest event, near the end of the tourist season. It does so in an attempt to avoid scheduling conflicts with both the Eastern and Western Rite observances of Easter and the larger Main Sail Art Show, in St. Petersburg.

This year the two-day art show, which draws about 200 artists from around the country and thousands of spectators to Craig Park, takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29.

Annual Greek Independence Day Parade festivities, which include dozens of large floats and hundreds of participants, is slated to take place downtown Sunday, March 29. The parade is traditionally held the weekend nearest to the actual date of Greek Independence from the Ottoman Empire, March 25.

The scheduling conflict between the 2009 editions of the Chamber of Commerce art show and Greek Independence observance went unnoticed until both events were slated for City Commission approval.

At Tuesday night's commission meeting, Commissioner Peter Dalacos said he was initially concerned about the potential for traffic, parking and logistical problems.

Whatever concerns Dalacos and other commissioners might have had didn't stop them from voting to approve both the art show and the parade.

Before commissioners voted, interim Police Chief Robert Kochen told them police met with both the Chamber of Commerce representatives and parade organizers and worked coordinated logistics.

This will enable both events to place at the same time, he said.

"It turned into a win-win situation for both events, Kochen said.

Police, he said, "Are well prepared to handle anything that comes up."

Because of the size of the Greek Independence parade, police traditionally request assistance from other law enforcement agencies so crowd control will not be a problem. Police make a similar mutual-aid request for the Epiphany celebration.

Sue Thomas, the Chamber of Commerce president, said chamber officials initially were a little surprised at the scheduling conflict.

They later concluded, however, it could help make both events more successful, Thomas said.

In order to avoid a logistical conflict, the parade will line up on Orange Street, near St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, rather than a few blocks to the south, on Lemon Street.

The parade will then follow its traditional route up North Pinellas Avenue to the Sponge Docks.

North of Orange Street, nearer to the Sponge Docks, is traditionally where most people line up to see the parade, Thomas said.

Meanwhile, Lemon Street and Tarpon Avenue will be used to provide access to art show visitors, Thomas said.

Both groups plan to work together to support each other's event, she said.

She hopes people will come out to enjoy the parade and then visit the art show, Thomas said.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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