Ybor City Saturday Market

Shelby McKie | Photography & Captions-Multimedia Journalism | February 16, 2019

Every Saturday, during the summer season, Historic Ybor holds a Market in Centennial Park, where there are over 50 vendors displaying their products and services. Saturday, February 16, 2019 was one of the first warm days of the season, and the market welcomed it by providing plenty of fresh treats and friendly faces!

Once the summer season begins in Florida, tourists and people from all over Tampa flock to the Historic Ybor area to enjoy farm fresh produce, and handmade crafts from over 50 local vendors at the Ybor City Saturday Market. The market runs every weekend during the warm months giving the artisans the opportunity to share their skills and passions with the community. On Saturday, February 16th I attended the market to see what it was all about. I had never been to Ybor before and I can confidently say that I was properly welcomed by the vendors, lots of dogs, and other market goers. I was able to talk with several people about their products and services allowing me to not only learn more about them but to hear their story and understand where the sellers passion was rooting from. This gave more meaning to their stand in the end and inspired me to leave the market with more treats than I planned!

Gracie is relaxing in the sun and enjoying her retired life, with Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions Inc. After several years spent on the racing tracks, Gracie and friends are now looking for a loving home to care for them, and to just kick back and enjoy the post-race life!

Kat Baum is teaching one of the little girls at the market how to make her own shaved iced drink with the Human Powered Hamster Wheel. People of all ages are able to run on the wheel, to shave the ice, and then pick out a few of their favorite flavors to add on. The wheel was a popular vendor at the market and can be booked for any event such as birthday parties and weddings!

Nayibe Manjarres, certified reflexologist, is helping one of the visitors kick their feet up and relax while she massages all of the tensions away and gets the blood flowing. Manjarres works at the International Institute of Reflexology where she has learned the benefits that foot massages have for the rest of your body, and hopes to share that knowledge and relief with others.

Even the roosters are enjoying their time at the market. Throughout the day it is very likely that you'll bump into one of these guys. They tend to flock around the food stands but will occasionally take their time to visit and check out what the other vendors are selling!

Beverly is grilling up some hotdogs for her hungry customers on this hot Saturday afternoon. Several of the customers were waiting in line for their second hot dog, praising Bev's grilling skills and bonding over past memories at the market.

Jeannie Lewis and husband Lee Lewis (not pictured) are selling an array of their handmade soaps and hand creams with a variety of scents as well as a CBD line. Each bar of soap had its own unique cut and pattern, and customers were able to pick their favorite. The two spend lots of time finding and using only the best, and all-natural, ingredients for their products so that they can truly help their customers feel better and obtain softer and healthier skin!

Hernando Umana is promoting and selling CBD Dog Health with his little helper Blanche. After suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, Umana's business partner Angela Ardolino (not pictured) found relief through using CBD Oil, and the three strongly believe that pets should have access to the same relief when suffering from any pain or anxiety. Their table featured several CBD oil infused treats for all different animals and health issues.

Couples and friends are spending their day together, roaming around the Ybor City Saturday Market, checking out local vendors and sharing some laughs. The market brings people from all over the city to support their local artisans and reunite with loved ones over shopping and fresh foods.

The TECO Line Streetcar is returning after one of its many tours through Historic Ybor. The streetcar runs everyday from about Noon to 10pm, 1:30am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 8pm on Sundays, with several stops throughout Historic Ybor, Tampa's Channel District, and Downtown.