Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County, just a few miles North of Clearwater. It has a unique flavour by having a large Greek influence, in fact, it is noted as having the largest percentage of Greek-Americans in the US. So there are Kebabs and Gyros to be had everywhere. However Tarpon Springs is probably more famous for it’s once huge live sponge business. Greeks were recruited to dive for these sponges and the industry thrived, turning over millions of dollars, until a “Red Tide” algae bloom wiped out the sponge fields in 1947.

You can still see the history related to the sponge buisness. The sponge docks is now a shopping area with restaurants and a museum dedicated to Tarpon Springs earlier industry.

Tarpon Springs is renowned for it’s elaborate religious ceremonies related to the Greek Orthodox Church such as Epiphany celebrated every January 6 which involves the blessing of the waters and the boats.

The celebration attracts Greek Americans from across the whole united states, and the city's population is known to triple in size for that day. The Metropolitan of Atlanta usually presides over the blessings, sometimes joined by the Archbishop of America. The blessings conclude with the ceremonial throwing of a wooden cross into the city's Spring Bayou, and young men dive in to retrieve it: whoever recovers the cross is said to be blessed for a full year. Following the blessings, the celebration moves to the Sponge Docks where food and music are made part of the festivities.

Tarpon Springs is definately worth a visit if only for a day trip and don’t forget to try the Gyro Wrap.

More info can be found on the Perfect Florida Villas forums or The Perfect Florida Guide