Tampa Book Buzz

florida authors at upcoming florida collectibles and vintage memorabilia show

The bi-annual Florida Collectibles and Vintage Memorabilia Show will be on Sunday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Coliseum in downtown St. Pete. Florida’s largest antiques and collectibles show focusing exclusively on vintage Floridiana, this unique event features old Florida souvenirs and memorabilia such as old Florida books; flamingo and alligator souvenirs; tinted Barnhill and Harris photographs; vintage Florida license plates and roadside signs; kitschy roadside attraction souvenirs; fruit crate and cigar box labels; rattan and other tropical furnishing and decor; and much more.

Many of the original Florida Highwaymen artists — self-taught African-American painters, many of whom traveled Florida’s highways selling their paintings of Florida landscapes — will participate in the show. There will be a screening of the documentary The Highwaymen, which explores the Highwaymen’s history through interviews with many of these artists. Other screenings include 1950’s Florida tourism film ads.

Several authors will attend this show for lectures and book signings:

*Charlie Carlson (Weird Florida…Your Travel Guide to Florida’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets) will give his special insight into Florida’s weird and kitschy history and myths.

*Dr. Gary Mormino (Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams) will give a talk titled “Florida:From Old South to New South to Sunbelt.”

*Tim Dorsey (The Big Bamboo) will offer his humorous insights on Florida fiction and fact.

*Wayne Ayers (Tampa Bay’s Gulf Beaches:The Fabulous 1950’s and 1960’s) will discuss his book and give a slide presentation showing nostalgic beach images from a bygone era.

*William Moriaty will be on-hand to sign his book William Moriaty’s Florida.

*Larry Roberts (Florida’s Golden Age of Souvenirs:1890-1930) will be available for questions on collecting vintage Floridiana.

Several local historical societies will be exhibiting, including the Gulf Beaches Historical Society and Museum, the Indian Rocks Historical Society, the Clearwater Historical Society and the Largo Area Historical Society. There will be live jazz and blues entertainment in the afternoon, along with a cash bar.

Admission to the Florida Collectibles and Vintage Memorabilia Show is $6.00 and parking is free. All lectures, entertainment and film screenings are included in the price of admission. The Coliseum is located at 535 Fourth Avenue North in St. Pete. For more information, call 727-363-4852 or visit www.hulahula.biz.