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Saluting Diversity on Florida's Beach

Sitting on Clearwater Beach, parasailing off of St. Petersburg or applauding a Blue Jays homer in Dunedin, you probably never give a second thought to the different ethnicities that helped found this area more than a century ago. Here's your chance.

For a taste of the Greek life, visit Tarpon Springs. Incorporated in 1887, the city almost immediately drew Greek nationals seeking to establish a sponge-diving industry. The endeavor proved so successful that Tarpon Springs became known as the Sponge Capital of the World. In the early 1900s, restaurants and shops arose on Dodecanese Boulevard, primarily to cater to working spongers. (If you want to know more about the industry, visit the dockside Spongeorama Exhibit Center.) Today, dozens of stores and eateries can be found here.

I love the town. I've toured Greece – both the mainland and the islands – and Tarpon Springs brings me back to my days on the Aegean. The mom-and-pop souvenir stores sell tacky tee-shirts and gee-gaws, to be sure, but the upper-end Island-inspired clothing, olive oil soap, seashells, natural sponges and Greek music lilting from shop windows combine to give you a taste of Hellenic life. As does the food.

Local restaurants sell such favorites as moussaka, dolmades and spanakopita. Hellas Restaurant is a good example. This eatery reminds me of an ethnic New York City diner. Sit indoors or out. Inside, you'll find a blue-and-white motif, hanging plants, olive oil on the tables

and plenty of decorative tiling. I order saganaki, a flaming Greek cheese, more for the experience than the taste. (The waiters cry "Opa!" as they set the appetizer alight.)

After your meal, make sure to visit St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Built in 1941, it was constructed as an exact replica of Constantinople's Cathedral of St. Sophia. Its icons are works of art. The city's famed Epiphany celebration, held each January, begins here. The faithful leave this church in procession to Spring Bayou, where local young men dive for a cross. The winner is said to enjoy a year of good luck.

For another glimpse at European culture, drive down to Dunedin. The first time you visit, you may be a little startled to see a wooden cutout of a bagpiper adorning the city's welcome sign. It's your first clue to the city's heritage. It was founded by two Scottish families in 1899. ("Dun Eideann" is actually the Scottish name for Edinburgh.) Today, you can hear the past through the bagpipers who sometimes play in town.

The city most proudly displays its roots during the Dunedin Highland Games. Held each year in March in Highlander Park (on the shores of – what else? – Wee Loch Ness), it draws an untold number of local clans, along with pipe bands and athletes competing in competitions such as the caber toss, stone put and weight toss. As part of the games, a

military tattoo (pageant) is held each April. Celtic rock bands and Highland dancers perform each November during the city's Celtic Festival.

You don't have to visit during festival time, though, to enjoy Dunedin. Considered one of the most walkable towns in Florida, Dunedin offers plenty of opportunities to taste Scottish and Irish life. Enjoy a Guinness, along with fish and chips, at Flannigan's Irish Pub. Then meander down Main Street, browsing through upscale antiques, linen, clothing and food stores.

Diverse Diversions
Check out these upcoming events in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area.

African American Heritage Celebration
African American history and culture is each year feted during the Florida African American Heritage Celebration. Held at Heritage Village living history museum, this event celebrates the contributions that black people have made to the region. Visit for African American art shows, storytelling events and cooking demonstrations. Music is also a big draw here, with jazz, gospel, rhythm & blues and reggae groups performing. The next Heritage celebration is held in February each year.

St. Pete Pride
Downtown St. Petersburg is each year the site of the

St. Pete Pride, a celebration of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. While smaller events (think movie nights, auto shows and art auctions) run for weeks, the event's centerpiece is a Pride Promenade parade and street festival, held each June. The event boasts live entertainment, vendors, food stands and camaraderie. Last year, Pride events drew more than 50,000 guests.

For more information on exploring history and diversity on Florida's Beach call the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 877-352-3224.