S2 Ep2278: HISTORICALLY ST. PETE Rui Farias and Roy Adams: Festival of the States in "Wish You Were Here" Exhibit

(Airs Monday 8/17) In this episode of Historically St. Pete,  St. Petersburg Museum of History executive director Rui Farias talks with Roy Adams about Festival of the States, which both were involved in. This is just one of the tourism campaigns that are features in the "Wish You Were Here" exhibit, which is a 2026 finalist for Creative Loafing's Best of the Bay "best exhibit." Vote now!ABOUT THE EXHIBIT For more than a century, tourism has shaped St. Petersburg’s identity. From the earliest health seekers who came for sunshine and salt air, to families who filled roadside motels, to retirees who played shuffleboard by the hundreds, visitors have left their mark on every corner of the city. Tourism brought investment, growth, and sometimes tension, influencing politics, architecture, and the natural environment. This exhibit draws on postcards, photographs, and artifacts to show how St. Pete sold itself to the world, and how travelers responded. From Tent City to Webb’s City, from alligator wrestling to orange crate art, the stories here remind us how important visitors have always been to the life of the Sunshine City. As you move through the gallery, imagine arriving here for the first time, stepping into the Florida sun, and writing home with those familiar words: “Wish you were here.”#ruifarias #wishyouwerehere #royadams #festivalofthestates #radiostpete