Carnival 2023: Ptown's Original Summer Celebration - Provincetown Business Guild

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The 45th Annual Carnival is happening August 12-19, 2023

Carnival – created by the Provincetown Business Guild in 1978 – is Ptown’s original Summer celebration of community, expression, and creativity. The weeklong festival attracts tens of thousands of guests from all over the world to enjoy parties, events, costume contests and the celebrated Carnival parade down Commercial Street. Start planing now for 2023’s theme: Land of Toys

Plan your Carnival trip to Ptown

Thank You to Our 2022 Sponsors & Partners

More from Carnival 2022

Sunday August 14th

Feet Over Front Street 5K Run & Walk

Get Carnival week started off on the right foot by sharing some self-love in the form of fresh air, exercise and community right in step with your LGBTQ+ fam.

Sunday August 14th @ 8:30a

“Let’s Get Kraken” Carnival Cruise

Provincetown’s 44th Annual Carnival will officially get KRAKEN with a legendary cruise and MONSTER dance party featuring music by NYC’s own Bright Light Bright Light and Justin Dawson.

Sunday August 14th @ 4p

Miss Swamp Thang Carnival Opening Party @ The Crown & Anchor

Miss Swamp Thang has crawled out of the Cranberry Bogs of Provincetown and is headed straight to the dance floor. The most monstrous swamp-lewk will win $250 cash and spot aboard one of the PBG’s floats in Thursday’s Carnival Parade.

Sunday August 14th @ 9p

Monday August 15th

The Myth of Medusa Carnival Pool Party @ The Brass Key

Join over 1,000 of the sexiest folks at Carnival for a truly massive, one-of-a-kind experience. Dance the day away under the sun on the gorgeous grounds of the Brass Key Guesthouse – plenty of surprise performances and jaw-dropping feats throughout the afternoon await.

Monday August 15th @ 1p

Gesellschaft Presents – 1986: Legends of Zelda, O’Queerina of Time @ Red Room

This one goes to all the GAYmers out there!! Whether you’re a Link-Twink, or a full-bodied Jiggly Puff with show-stopping twerk talents, we know you’ll bring the spirit of your favorite gamer legends to the dancefloor.

Monday August 15th @ 10p

Tuesday August 16th

Electric Dreams: Legendary Tea Dance @ The Boatslip

Provincetown's legendary Tea Dance at The Boatslip hosts an extra special edition just for Carnival. Expect the unexpected and celebrate this historic queer tradition in your most mythical look as DJ Chris Ewen spins a monstrous set.

Tuesday August 16th @ 4p

HORNY Official Carnival Dance Party @ The A-House

Provincetown’s longest-running discotheque is already the stuff of legends, so let’s horn-up and get down. It’s about to get real devilish in here with all you little monsters running around 😈😈😈

Tuesday August 16th @ 10p

Provincetown Follies: Carnival Edition @ The Crown & Anchor

Join us for a night at the Provincetown Follies, for a cabaret style show produced by Jonathan Hawkins that is packed with fun and colorful craziness plus a touch of Vegas, the Folies Bergere and the Moulin Rouge!

Tuesday August 16th @ 10p

Wednesday August 17th

Legend of the Pied Piper – Pop-Up Girl Party @ Provincetown Brewing Company

Provincetown’s famed (and last!) lesbian bar returns to Provincetown for a one-afternoon-only girl-party over with music curated by DJ Leah L’Duke. This Pied pop-up is gonna bring all the girls to the yard…

Wednesday August 17th @ 4p

Mx Justin Vivian Bond: Oh Mary, It's Carnival Week! @ Town Hall

To celebrate the return of Provincetown's legendary Carnival festivities, your Auntie Glam, Justin Vivian Bond is bringing their brand new show: Oh Mary, It's Carnival to our queer and quaint seaside paradise for one night only!

Wednesday August 17th @ 8:30p

“KAPOW!” Lycra Party @ Red Room

Superhero Secret #1: Half the battle for looking SNATCH during Carnival is wearing your Super-lycra bodysuit. Live your best life in lycra at the Red Room, the home of Provincetown’s iconic weekly Underwear Party.

Wednesday August 17th @ 10p

Thursday August 18th

44th Annual Carnival Parade

Winding its way down Commercial Street from the Harbor Hotel in the East End to the Coast Guard Station in the West End, this year’s 44th Annual Carnival Parade will again serve as a symbol of Provincetown’s inclusiveness, creativity and diversity with 2022's theme: Monsters, Myths & Legends.

Thursday August 18th @ 3p

Friday August 19th

SLURP: Paige Turner's Tawdry Pool Party @ The Boatslip

Mayhem. Foolishness. Music! Celebrate the return of NYC’s longest-running drag show - now poolside! Expect prizes, show-stopping numbers and banana hammocks galore plus beats from the hunky DJ James Cerne.

Friday August 19th @ 12p

Rainbow Connection: Big Feet Dance Party @ Provincetown Brewing Company

Jump into the ‘Legend of Big Foot’ and bring your BIG FEET dance-moves to groove amongst the redwoods of the taproom. Who knows, maybe Sassy-Squatch will make an appearance? Grab some food and the best beer in town to keep the party going.

Friday August 19th @ 7p

Carnival Gallery Stroll

The Provincetown Gallery Stroll is a free event that occurs Friday evenings in season. Most of Provincetown’s galleries, from the east to the west end, are open for visitors to stroll through with many featuring special exhibitions during The Stroll. This is a great opportunity to visit the many wonderful galleries throughout Provincetown.

Friday August 19th @ 7p

Monster Mashup Carnival Closing Party @ The Crown & Anchor

Not your average graveyard smash. The Monster Mashup closing party will wrap-up the entirety of our Monstrous, Legendary, Mythical week, and smush all of our themes together into one big party climax. Expect DJ Chris Racine to serve a mashup (or two,) to keep the children entertained. Dance until your tank is out of gas, because this will be the final serve!

Friday August 19th @ 10p

Saturday August 20th

Queer AF Bingo: Studio 54 Carnival Edition with Austin & Mackenzie @ The Crown & Anchor

Relive the glamor by dressing up as your favorite Studio 54 legend and then join Ptown celebrity-duo, drag queen Mackenzie + lovable co-host Austin, as they tell some stories, pull some (Bingo) balls, and give away some fabulous prizes!

Saturday August 20th @ 2p

44th Carnival Parade

More than 100,000 visitors came to Provincetown to celebrate Monsters, Myths & Legends during the 44th annual Carnival Parade on Thursday August 18, 2022

44th Carnival Parade Winners

Most Queer Float, Best Musical Float, and more! Find out who the judge's selected as the best floats in this year's parade.

Carnival's 2022 Grand Marshal

Mx Justin Vivian Bond has been at the forefront of Trans visibility and activism since the early 1990s and has appeared on stage, screen, television, nightclub stages, and in concert halls worldwide.

Meet Mx Justin Vivian Bond

Carnival's 2022 Featured Artist

Eric Lesh - the creator of the 2022 Carnival poster - is a portrait and figurative artist, and LGBTQ rights lawyer in New York with a fine art gallery in Provincetown, MA.

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Dec 5

2022 was THE JOLLIEST Holly Folly we’ve ever see

2022 was THE JOLLIEST Holly Folly we’ve ever seen!! Thank you to all the merry lovers of Provincetown for coming here to make the holidays as gay as possible with your chosen LGBTQ+ family. In it’s 25th year, the creation of Holly Folly (the original premier queer holiday celebration) and the PBG have the Women’s Innkeepers of Provincetown to thank, who helped to bring this holiday tradition to light, a tradition that continues to grow and bring a sense of warmth, community and glitter that is truly befitting of the season. Say hi to Melanie above who works at Stop & Shop and helped to create Holly Folly’s first year!

While Holly Folly is almost over, the holidays in Provincetown are nowhere near from done! The Holiday Market at Canteen is around all December and many of your favorite shops, galleries and restaurants are here to welcome you all season long. In Provincetown we are always here, and we are always queer ✨

Thank you again to our event sponsors @titosvodka , @gileadsciences , @krakenrum , @ptowntourism , @salthouseinn + our wonderful business members for hosting all the strolls this weekend and event hosts @onlyatthecrown @ptownbrewingco Town Hall @paulfanizzi and @coolasamoose AND OUR INCREDIBLE QUEER TALENT - all those in Hung with Care, The Holly Folly Follies, our event hosts @trampyg1 and @constance_waverly , our Santa Daddy @nathanbutera , DJs @djchrisracine @andrewlenox_music @sirgogogadget and all those performing about town to help bring that Ptown magic.

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Dec 3

This morning’s Jingle Bell Run was our LARGEST Y

This morning’s Jingle Bell Run was our LARGEST YET!! Painting the town red, holiday style. Thank you consummate hosts Fanizzi’s and @ptownbrewingco (especially to Nikki and Vanessa in the kitchen.)

Don’t miss tonight’s Town Hall show Hung with Care: A Queer Burlesque Spectacular - tickets are almost gone!!

And thank you to Holly Folly event sponsors @titosvodka and @gileadsciences 💝

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Dec 3

Here’s a shot of our volunteer family from last

Here’s a shot of our volunteer family from last night 🎄 We couldn’t make any of our events. You’re all on the nice list 🎅🏽

Speaking of massive support - MAJOR thanks go out to our newest PBG sponsor family, Gilead Sciences @gileadsciences - the leaders in HIV treatment and Descovy for PrEP. Thank you for helping to make the nation’s premier LGBTQ+ holiday celebration sparkle ✨

Please visit descovy.com or the table in the back to learn more about how you can help stop the virus.

#HIVAIDS #HIVAwareness #StopHIVTogether #ThisIsWhatWeLiveFor #gileadhivus #descovy_us, #GileadHIV

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Dec 2

The Merry Mary Meter is off the CHARTS here in Pro

The Merry Mary Meter is off the CHARTS here in Provincetown 📈 Check out these beautiful Christmas lights around time that went up just in time for the weekend’s festivities…

With The Holly Folly Follies fully SOLD OUT for tonight and our 2nd Town Hall show ‘Hung with Care: A Queer Burlesque Spectacular’ also on track to sell out, we know it’s gonna be the jolliest folly of them all - make sure to check out the more-than-30 events going on this weekend at Ptown.org/Holidays

#visitptown #ptownbusinessguild #hollyfolly #hollyfolly2022 #merryqueersmas #queerchristmas #lgbtqfamily #holigay #holigays

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Dec 1

Settle in for a scintillating sleigh ride of yulet

Settle in for a scintillating sleigh ride of yuletide classic featuring performances from today’s premier cabaret artists with specialities ranging from burlesque to dance, circus acts, drag, live singing and more…

The Town Hall bar will be open at 7PM, so come have a drink and take pictures with our special Santa, Daddy @nathanbutera 🎅🏽

See you at Town Hall on Saturday night with MC Storm Marrero, GoGo Gadget, Pearls Daily, Jack Barrow, Broody Valentino & Ser Schoen!

#visitptown #hollyfolly #hollyfolly2022 #burlesque #queerchristmas #ptownbusinessguild

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Dec 1

This World AIDS Day, we remember those lost to AID

This World AIDS Day, we remember those lost to AIDS-related illnesses, and reengage people in care by prioritizing steps like HIV testing. Share to encourage action toward ending the HIV epidemic.

#HIVAIDS #HIVAwareness #WorldAIDSDay #StopHIVTogether #ThisIsWhatWeLiveFor #gileadhivus #descovy_us, #GileadHIV

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Nov 30

HOLLY FOLLY IS ONLY TWO DAYS AWAY, and our lovely

HOLLY FOLLY IS ONLY TWO DAYS AWAY, and our lovely turtle doves & Holly Folly hostesses, Trampolina @trampyg1 and Constance Waverly @constance_waverly cannot WAIT to welcome you all to this jolly, gay-old time!! With over 30 events, two Town Hall shows and plenty of restaurants, shops, inns and galleries decorated and waiting to welcome you with cheer, there will be SNOW much going on - just visit Ptown.org/holidays to get the full schedule or click on the link.tree up top!

PS - how gorgeous does Anita Cocktail @anitacocktailpt look here? Do not miss her annual fundraiser for @aidssupportgroupofcapecod T’is the Season for Giving on Friday at 8PM at @postofficecafeandcabaret_

#visitptown #hollyfolly #ptownbusinessguild #holigay #gayholiday #queerchristmas

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Nov 28

Shiver me tinsels!! Provincetown’s 25th Holly Fo

Shiver me tinsels!! Provincetown’s 25th Holly Folly kicks off in just four short days. With TWO Town Hall shows, The Jingle Bell Run, Snowball Bar Crawl, Inn Stroll, Gallery, Shop Hop, Gallery Strolls – and dozens of other events & parties listed online – there’s no reason to be left out in the cold ☃️

Make sure to check out the full schedule and book today through the links up top so you can have the merriest of merries this weekend…

#visitptown #hollyfolly #ptown #ptownbusinessguild #hollyfolly2022 #queerholiday #holigay #holigays #ptownbrewco

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Nov 25

IT’S PINK FRIDAY Y’ALL🎀 Remember to spend t

IT’S PINK FRIDAY Y’ALL🎀 Remember to spend those Pink Dollars on LGBTQ+ businesses TODAY. We know Best Buy is cramming flatscreens down your feed, but in Provincetown you can find specials like 20% off tix to Christine Ebsersole at Town Hall over First Light from @markcortaleproductions OR 20% off all product at Botanica @botanicaprovincetown

Not in Provincetown today?? No problem - just make your orders online for businesses like Adams Nest @adamsnest

Click on our link.tree up top to find ALL the specials you can find around town today and throughout the weekend…

Finish off your shopping spree with Pink Friday Bingo with Austin & Mackenzie at @onlyatthecrown - we only have a few seats left!

🎀💰🎀💰🎀💰🎀💰🎀💰🎀💰🎀💰🎀💰🎀💰🎀💰🎀 💰🎀💰

#pinkfriday #visitptown #shopptown #ptownbusinessguild #blackfridaydeals

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Nov 24

Wishing our Provincetown family and the LGBTQ+ com

Wishing our Provincetown family and the LGBTQ+ community at large a delicious, safe, and exceedingly cozy day of gratitude with friends & family this Thanksgiving. (Can’t we all agree how grateful we are for Provincetown?💛)

For those traveling in town tomorrow, select businesses will be open on Thanksgiving Day for coffee, last-minute needs or full Thanksgiving meals. Check it out…

🦃 Breakfast Sips 🦃

Joe Coffee @joecoffeeptown
8AM-1PM
170 Commercial St.
860-573-1885
joecoffeeptown.com

Kohi Coffee @kohicoffeecompany
7AM-1PM
199 Commercial St.
774- 538-6467
kohicoffee.com

🦃Turkey to Take-Away🦃

The Canteen @thecanteenptown
Pre-Order
227 Commercial St.
508-487-3800
thecanteenptown.com

Far Land Provisions @far_land_pt
Pre-Order by 5PM 11/19
150 Bradford St.
508-487-0045
farlandprovisions.com

🦃Last Minute Items 🦃

East End Market @eastendmarketptown
8AM-12PM
212 Bradford St.
508-487-2339
eastendmarketplace.com

🦃 Dine-In & Prix Fixe 🦃

Bayside Betsy's @baysidebetsysptown
Breakfast, lunch and Thanksgiving Dinner.
177 Commercial St.
508-487-6566
baysidebetsys.com

Mews Restaurant & Cafe @mewsrestaurant
Currently accepting reservations for dinner.
429 Commercial St.
508-487-1500
mewsptown.com

Napi’s Restaurant @napisrestaurant
7 Freeman St.
508-487-1145
napisptown.com

The Pointe Restaurant @crownepointeptown
1-7PM
Four-Course Prix Fixe
$79.95 (excludes beverages, tax, and gratuity).
82 Bradford St.
508-487-6767
crownepointe.com

Tin Pan Alley @tin.pan
2-8PM
Four-Course Prix Fixe
$85 (excludes beverages, tax, and gratuity).
269 Commercial St.
508-487-1648
tinpanalleyptown.com

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Nov 22

Provincetown’s Pink Lady here to remind you all

Provincetown’s Pink Lady here to remind you all to THINK PINK THIS FRIDAY NOV 25th 💖 Provincetown’s first annual #PinkFriday (traditionally known as Black Friday) gives you an opportunity to spend all your Three Dollar Bills on the hundreds of unique shops, galleries and LGBTQ+ businesses that make Provincetown special…

Find out how you can get 20% off Adam’s Nest @adamsnest purchases, 15% off cases from Perry’s Fine Wine & Spirits @ptownperrys for the holidays OR free shipping from shops like Arcadia @arcadiaptown and many of our incredible galleries plus MUCH MORE - to find out all the deals just click the link in our link.tree up top 🫣👆🏼

#visitptown #ptownbusinessguild #shopptown #threedollarbill #pinkfriday #pinkladyptown #ptownlibrary #supportqueer #queerbusiness #holidayshopping

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Nov 21

Last night a small but mighty group of around twen

Last night a small but mighty group of around twenty community members braved the night’s bitter wind to come together and grieve, and to remember - not only our LGBTQ+ community members that were lost or injured in Colorado Springs this weekend, but also for the over 300 violent deaths incurred on our trans and gender non-conforming family over the last decade, with 32 occurring this year so far.

We are deeply grateful for the safe and uniquely life-affirming culture that Provincetown has built and shares with all of our visitors (who are over 70% LGBTQ+,) but we also recognize that with each story like Q Club or Pulse our collective sense of safety and concept of safe spaces are eradicated. Here in Provincetown we will continue to Say Gay (and Say Trans) as loudly as we possibly can, and find new ways to welcoming queer folks from other parts of the country who will be strengthened by radical self-expression celebrated here on the streets of Provincetown.

Thank you to @womencrafts for organizing last night’s vigil.

#visitptown #transgenderdayofremembrance #qclub #lgbtqcommunity #queercommunity #supportqueer #supporttrans #provincetownproud #ptownpride #coloradosprings #candlelightvigil

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Nov 20

On today, Transgender Day of Remembrance, we are d

On today, Transgender Day of Remembrance, we are deeply saddened in Provincetown to wake up to the loss of at least five members of the LGBTQ+ community. Our hearts go out to our queer family in Colorado Springs and to Q Club, where they had planned and advertised a celebration and performance tonight for Trans Day of Remembrance…

There will be a Transgender Day of Remembrance candlelight vigil tonight at Town Hall at 6:30PM. Please spread the word.

#ptown #rainbowconnection #transdayofremembrance #transgenderdayofremembrance #qclub #provincetown #rainbows #fuckguns #safespaces #queerspaces #massshooting #gaysagainstguns

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Nov 18

Congratulations to 2022 PBG Carnival sponsors Grin

Congratulations to 2022 PBG Carnival sponsors Grindr @grindr on their IPO today - look for ‘GRND’ on your tickers y’all…

Gay/Bi/Trans/Queer are exactly 0 feet away from Wall Street!

#visitptown #ptowncarnival #monstersmythsandlegends #grindr #grindripo #queerwallstreet #nyse

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Nov 17

Holly Folly’s annual Jingle Bell Run & Brunch fu

Holly Folly’s annual Jingle Bell Run & Brunch fundraiser returns Saturday, Dec 3rd - JOIN US ☃️ One-horse-open-slay your way down Commercial Street in as little clothing as you dare for this frosty fun-run! The run begins at Fanizzi's, and travels along Commercial Street, ending at the Lobster Pot Christmas Tree. Our friends at Cool As A Moose @coolasamoose will welcome runners to warm up and change into your next outfit (should you so choose) before heading over to the Provincetown Brewing Company @ptownbrewingco for Brew Brunch 🍻

Join us for the Jingle Bell run and the FULL schedule of Holly Folly fun by checking out our link.tree up top!

Thank you to Holly Folly event sponsors @titosvodka and @gileadsciences and hosts @paulfanizzi and @ptownbrewingco

Photos by @mckeondan

#visitptown #ptown #hollyfolly2022 #hollyfolly #jinglebellrun #funrun #santacon #santarun

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Nov 14

Hung With Care: A Queer Holiday Burlesque Spectacu

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Nov 9

Come explore Provincetown this Thanksgiving holida

Come explore Provincetown this Thanksgiving holiday! In addition to the quintessential New England experience (cranberry picking and navigating rafters of turkeys crossing route 6 🦃🦃🦃) there will be PLENTY of fun things to do in Town and restaurants, shops and galleries here to welcome you. Get your holiday shopping in early on Pink Friday (our take on ‘Black Friday’) this Nov 25th – the same day Canteen’s magical Holiday Market & Winter Lodge opens on weekends through Christmas. Use all those Three Dollar Bills to support LGBTQ+ owned & allied businesses, local artisans and MORE…

Check out specialty discounts and deals offered for Pink Friday in the Link.tree up top OR all the businesses that will be open Thanksgiving Day ⬆️ Join Helping Our Women’s @helpingourwomen Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning to prep for your respective feasts, come play Pink Friday Bingo with @itsjustmackenzie & @theaustintylerhorrorshow , check out Tiny Beautiful Things at @ptowntheater or Jon Richardson’s @jonrichardsonmusic take on Bing Crosby at @onlyatthecrown
 As per usual, we’ve got it all going down in Provincetown this month - so see ya Turkeys soon!

#visitptown #ptownbusinessguild #thanksgivinginprovincetown #newenglandthanksgiving #turkeytrot #capecodthanksgiving #pinkfriday #blackfridaydeals #supportqueerbusinesses #lgbtqowned

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Nov 9

VOTE HERE ⬆️ Brenda, Jill, and the PBG here to

VOTE HERE ⬆️ Brenda, Jill, and the PBG here to remind you to get out there for the midterm elections today before 8PM ⏰

Also a quick reminder to attend tomorrow’s Special Town Meeting at 6PM where voters will primarily consider expanding the sewer system to the entire town with a needed $75M tune-up.

#visitptown #vote #midtermelections #townhall #ptownbusinessguild #ptowntownmeeting #getoutthevote #govote #votecapecod #mavote

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Nov 8

We are THRILLED to see The Provincetown Bookshop @

We are THRILLED to see The Provincetown Bookshop @ptownbookshop back in action on Commercial Street, freshly laid out in their new space this past week and celebrating their 90th year as the oldest bookstore on Cape Cod. The store is currently open 12-7PM daily, so be sure to swing by and welcome them back to the main drag in their new home at 229 Commercial. There’s a vinyl section AND a 10% discount on many of the Provincetown classics…

#visitptown #ptownbookshop #bookstores #capecod #ptownie #ptownbusinessguild #reopening

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Nov 7

Big cheers to @ptownfwfestival for a successful se

Big cheers to @ptownfwfestival for a successful second year - the Grand Tasting at Town Hall alone doubled in size this year! The Portuguese and Spanish wines were flowing, and many Ptown favorites like @ptownperrys , @eastendmarketptown , @scottcakes , @ptownbrewingco and more were featured in addition to the weekend’s other event. Plus a portion of the proceeds went straight to SKIP soup kitchen 🙌🏼

#ptownfoodandwinefestival #visitptown #ptownbusinessguild #borsao #grandtasting