The Muhammad Ali & Ybor City Connection.
One of the most famous people in Ybor City is Dr. Ferdie Pacheco. He is an awarded artist, author, poet and was also a medical Doctor. Ferdie became a doctor at the local tobacco workers & family’s Mutual Aid Society, Trellis Clinic in Ybor City. Today this clinic is the Ybor Resort & Spa.
In the 1960’s Ferdie became the private doctor to the boxing great Cassius Clay who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali.
Visit Ferdie’s web site to see all the photos of them together at http://ferdiepacheco.com/ .
The next time you are walking down 7th Ave in Ybor City look down. The tobacco leafs in the stone all have Ferdie’s quotes etched in them. Also the artists has original paintings in Tampa City Hall, the Tampa Construction Services Building and many inside Carne’s Steak House in Centro Ybor.
Today Ferdie & his family are retired and living in Miami.
Gay Days Expo & Huge Party Events
Taking our time at the Big Mouse Day Party for the GLBTA community in Orlando. Thousands came to visit and take in the big Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Universal Studios or as we did the Expo with 100’s of vendors at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton near Sea World. The fabulous 28 acre complex resort have parties going on at the three large pool areas. The Annual Women’s Pool Party was taken over by the Bear Party event and was relocated to another hotel.
The weeklong GLBT Disney Orlando events started in 1990 and Mark & Carrie are glad to be part of the founding and volunteering the beginning 8 years of this International acclaimed Gay event with the then pioneering computer group, Digital Queers! Red shirts and all.
Gay Days is always the first weekend in June. Why? Back at the start was the end of Florida Residents Days at Walt Disney World. It was the last weekend Disney special before summer rates and at a cost of $29 for a days entry.
The 2 big Pool Parties had hunks in speedos and beautiful bodied guys all in the newest skimpy swimming attire trends. Bears Party had the loudest bang for the splash! The pool was bouncing to both the sounds and the drag queen performers tossing beach balls into the pool and waterfall.
What a time especially with singer Judy B Goode and I going through the high energy music pool events.
Besides the expo and getting away from the 200,000 week event gay attendees, the host resort complex had 2 packed pool parties a day (costing $45 ea), the Miss Gay Days Pageant and reunion of friends.
By the way Miss Gay Days 2016 is also our Miss TAMPA PRIDE 2016 Alexis Mateo. Congratulations.
