Photo courtesy of Tiny Studios LLC

In just its second year running, it has grown to be the largest Tiny Home festival anywhere on the U.S. Gulf Coast and second largest in the entire state of Florida. On March 23 and 24, event producer/small business advocacy group LocalShop1 brings back the St. Pete Tiny Home Festival—rolling in more than 30 “Tiny Structures” on wheels, 50 local food trucks, mobile boutiques, regional crafters/artists, home-related businesses, an environmentally conscious water station by Chart 411 and a wine/beer garden presented by the Skyway Marina District.

The local Tiny Home movement proves to be huge and vastly growing due to their reduced costs and minimal carbon footprint. And to embrace the buzzing lifestyle trend, St. Pete Tiny Home Festival 2019 will showcase model homes and custom-made homes by professional builders, tiny work studios, “skoolies” and van conversions, built by talented enthusiasts who roadtrip the country in their habitable, portable creations. Of the SRQ regional standouts, locals can expect to find Siesta Key’s Tiny House Beach Resort, showing off its colorful brigade of vacation homes, as well as Venice’s Tiny Studios LLC, creatively transforming shipping containers into dream work/play spaces.

Tiny Studio's Founder and CEO Tamaryn Sullivan is excited to share this new venture to offer 300-600 square foot villas, studios, cabanas, retail spaces, work units, etc. “I have a massive love for all things design and construction,” she says. “I studied interior design overseas and locally. I also work closely alongside a great local general contractor.” Find Sullivan at the upcoming festival to talk tiny and check out her recently debuted layouts/designs, such as the new Bungalow unit, which is 20’x8’ -160 sq ft (1/bed 1/bath with a mini kitchen and an outdoor shower). Sullivan also noted discussions for a potential project with a not-for-profit organization to provide affordable living micro-homes to the community.

In addition to exploring and touring the grounds, guests will get to speak directly with the homeowners and builders. The event will also include a lineup of two dozen leading experts in the Tiny House Movement, with a through-line theme of eco-friendly living practices. Presentations will be held in the SPC ballroom and include practical advice on living green, sustainable communities, building on a budget, living large in a small space, decluttering your current residence, small ways to make a big difference, going solar and zoning regulations to build your own tiny dwelling.

More than 5,000 people are expected at the second annual St. Pete Tiny Home Festival throughout the weekend, many traveling from throughout the state, even across the country, and the festival is expected to sell out entirely as last year’s did. Founder of LocalShops1, Ester Venouziou highly urges people to buy tickets in advance online. "Last year, both days sold out by noon, and we had to turn away many people who showed up without tickets," she says.

"Come prepared to be entertained as well as informed," Venouziou says. "This is not a home expo—this is truly a festival showcasing Tiny Living, as well as other ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle." 

St Pete Tiny Home Festival 2019 is a production of LocalShops1, and sponsored by Skyway Marina District, Chart 411, Historic Shed, Tiny House Advisor and Leaf Filter.

Photo courtesy of Tiny Studios LLC

Tickets to the St Pete Tiny Home Festival & Live Local Expo 2019�Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, March 24, 10am-6pm. SPC Allstate Center, 3200 34th St South, St. Petersburg, 33711.