Ybor City Museum Gardens State Park:
Don Vicente Martinez Ybor, an influential cigar manufacturer and Cuban exile, came to the area looking to build a company town in 1885.
The Ybor cigar factory was the largest in the world, employing more than 4,000 workers. From 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City was a flourishing Latin community. People paid premium prices for hand-rolled cigars. Ybor City was the Cigar Capital of the World. The cigar industry declined with the Depression, the advent of cigarettes and the introduction of cigar-making machines. Factories closed and families moved away. It was the end of an era. The Ferlita Family. In 1896, the Ferlita family began baking in the La Joven Francesca Bakery. The original structure was destroyed in a fire. In 1923, the family rebuilt the current structure and continued to bake in Ybor City through the 1973. At one time the bakery produced more than 5,000 loaves of bread per day. The ovens still exist and the building offers visitors an opportunity to explore the bakery's history. Museum Garden. The Ybor City Museum garden is an ornamental garden. Although it is not historically significant, the garden is reflective of traditional Mediterranean style courtyards and is a popular location for events. |
VIP Tickets for 12th Annual Ford Intl. Cuban Sandwich Festival in Historic Ybor City! Sunday, May 28th, 2023 at Centennial Park. Tampa, FL. Noon - 6pm
SMACKDOWN SUNDAY!
Held at the Ybor City Museum Gardens, located at: Enjoy Contest Samples of the Entries from all over the world, including the non-traditional entry from Japan: Duck Dive Food Truck, Texas entry: Gordo Good Eats, and more! This is the place to be! Enjoy red carpet pictures! Enjoy sampling of the Cuban Sandwich contest entries! Schmooze with local VIPs, media. Sit and Relax and get out of the sun for a while. |
Other 2023 Events
Hispanic Heritage Celebration:
Jacksonville Cuban Sandwich & Taste of Latino Festival! Sunday, Sept 15th, 2023, Noon - 6pm. Free Family Festival. Bring Your Lawn Chair & Enjoy! A beautiful day filled with LIVE Music and Dance performances! Opening Ceremony for 2023 Hispanic Heritage season, TOP Latino Chef Contest, and 2023 Jacksonville Latino & Latina Lideres will be recognized and awarded on Stage! |
Hispanic Heritage Celebration:
SW Florida Taste of Latino Festival! Sunday, Oct 1st, 2023, Noon - 6pm. Free Family Festival. Bring Your Lawn Chair & Enjoy! A beautiful day filled with LIVE Music and Dance performances! Opening Ceremony for 2022 Hispanic Heritage season, TOP Latino Chef Contest, and 2023 SW Florida Latino & Latina Lideres will be recognized and awarded on Stage! |
FORD Taste of Latino Festival of Kissimmee & Orlando
Sunday, Oct 8th, 2023; Noon to 6pm. Free Family Festival. Bring Your Lawn Chair & Enjoy! A beautiful day filled with LIVE Music and Dance performances! Closing Ceremony for 2022 Hispanic Heritage season, TOP Latino Chef Contest, and 2023 Central Florida Latino & Latina Lideres will be recognized and awarded on Stage! |
Hispanic Heritage Celebration:
5th Annual FORD's Taste of Latino: Sunday, Oct 15th, 2023. 11am-5pm Food, Art & Music Festival FORD's Taste of Latino: Food, Beer, Wine, Art & Music Festival, Sunday, Oct 15th, 2023, 11am - 5pm in Historic Ybor City. Free Family Festival. Bring Your Lawn Chair & Enjoy! A beautiful day filled with LIVE Music and Dance performances! Closing Ceremony for 2022 Hispanic Heritage season, TOP Latino Chef Contest, and 2022 Florida Latino & Latina Lideres will be recognized and awarded on Stage! |
VIP Tickets for 8th Annual Ford Cuban Sandwich Festival of Kissimmee/Orlando is on Sunday, May 7th, 2023 at Kissimmee Lakefront Park in Kissimmee, FL. Noon - 6:00 PM
