Once upon a time, St. Petersburg and Clearwater phone numbers began with the 813 area code.
That’s because Tampa, and Hillsborough County, were considered the dominant forces in coastal western Florida, and when area codes were dreamed up, in the 1940s, Tampa was assigned 813 and just about everyplace else in the reasonable vicinity – St. Pete, Clearwater, Bradenton, Sarasota and even Ft. Myers – was lumped in there too.
After World War II, the population exploded. This massive growth of the next half century put a strain on the area code system for 50 years. In 1995, 13 counties to the south and east of Hillsborough “seceded from the union” and were assigned the area code 941.
Incredibly, St. Pete and Clearwater didn’t get their new three-digit prefix until 1998, when everyone, it seemed, had a cell phone and wasn’t afraid to use it. It was then that 727 was hastily adopted and assigned to cities all the way north to New Port Richey and Holiday.
The whole business was complicated, and confusing, and today, even though the city of Oldsmar is part of Pinellas County, it still carries the 813 prefix.
None of this, most likely, means anything to anybody but a few historians, but it’s a great way to introduce 727 Day, the annual thanks-for-being-here event sponsored by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater and its tourism and hospitality partners.
This Sunday, July 27, is 727 Day. July 27, as in 7-27.
According to VSPC statistics, tourism and hospitality businesses collectively employ 100,000+ residents and play a vital role in the local economy, with more than 15 million visitors (the majority of them beach-bound) passing through the sandy gates annually, generating an $11 billion economic impact.
So what’s in it for us locals, this 727 Day thing?
More than 100 retailers (restaurants, attractions and shops) are offering discount deals Saturday and Sunday (which makes it 727 Weekend, when you think about it).
These are available only via a Visit St. Pete Clearwater mobile “passport,” which can be had for free right here.
It is not, repeat not, an app that has to be downloaded. Just open it on your phone (whichever area code you happen to have) and you’re good to go.
Then, check out the deals, go to the place of business you’re interested in, present phone-with-passport.
There’s also a limited edition 727 Day T-shirt available – you gather points by visiting a certain amount of participating businesses. The shirt was designed by St. Pete artist Chad Mize, which makes it something of a work of art itself.
Among the businesses: The Moxy, the Don CeSar, Hubbard’s Marina Fishing Charters, the BayCare Sound, the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Sunken Gardens, StarLite Cruises, the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg, Doc Ford’s, Mastry’s Brewing, the Melting Pot … it’s a pretty long list.
The Mize shirts can be picked up at VSPC’s booth Sunday at the St. Pete Pier. This is another part of 727 Day, and it’s also the grand finale of the monthlong Pier 5th anniversary celebration. From 4-10 p.m., various tech businesses, startups and creatives of all type will be set up on the pier for the interactive tech demo and showcase.
Guests of all ages can get hands-on with the latest innovations – it’s a showcase of advancements in AI and robotics, virtual reality and smart city tools.
At 9 p.m. Sunday, more than 1,000 lighted drones will take to the sky over the Vinoy Basin in celebration of The Pier’s anniversary. All 727 Day events at The Pier are free.
ALSO READ: Ever wonder how a drone show works? So did we
Take note of these for advance planning:
727 Day Run: Join St. Pete Running Company for a downtown run/walk taking place Sunday at 7:27 a.m., starting from Craft Kafe on Central Avenue. Runners and walkers of all levels can choose from 2 miles, 7.27 kilometers, or 7.27 miles—each offering a unique way to explore St. Pete. Enjoy perks like discounted coffee and breakfast, a $10 gift card to St. Pete Running Company and HOKA shoe demos.
727 Day Run: Join Pinellas Run Club for a fun run Sunday starting at Island Grand at Tradewinds Resort (St. Pete Beach) to the Don CeSar; it’s a 5K beach run or a 1-mile walk, starting at noon.
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com
