A celebration of local business is drawing tens of thousands of people to Williams Park for St. Petersburg's biggest block party of the year. The 12th annual Localtopia event brought together 300 vendors and an estimated 40,000 attendees, all united in support of the local business community. "It's such a big event and it's a great cause, especially this year because of the hurricanes," Jerri Bourgholtzer of The Bougie Pet Boutique said. The event serves as a testament to the resilience of small business owners who have faced significant challenges in recent times. For many vendors, Localtopia represents an opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit. Sam Gerth of Hamster G Designs, who operates his business from his garage, sees the event as a crucial platform for smaller enterprises. "It's a great event, super well attended. So I think a lot of businesses, especially somebody my size just doing something out of their garage." Gerth explains, highlighting the event's importance for emerging businesses. The festival brings together a diverse array of local talent, from crafters to creators.