Friday night brought a touch of Hollywood—and a whole lot of local star power—to downtown St. Pete as Robert Blackmon hosted a private reception for Tara Reid celebrating the Sunscreen Film Festival debut of her new film, Dr. Quarantine.
Held in an upstairs room at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, the reception had a warm, low-key elegance. Guests mingled over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as a live pianist played in the background.
Reid, who stars in and produced Dr. Quarantine, greeted attendees, posed for photos and soaked in the post-premiere buzz after the film’s debut earlier that day at the Sundial AMC.
But the spotlight wasn’t just on Reid. The party drew an eclectic crowd from across industries, blending TV personalities, civic leaders and familiar faces from the local business scene.
HGTV’s 100 Day Dream Home hosts Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt were spotted mingling with guests, as were models Crystal Harrington and Abigail Shea. Corin Nemec, best known for Parker Lewis Can’t Lose and Stargate SG-1, joined the fun and NBA veteran Marreese Speights brought some height and heat to the room. Catalyst publisher Joe Hamilton, and yours truly, Samantha Elliott from DTSP, repped the media sphere.
From the civic side, guests included St. Pete City Councilmember Mike Harting and his wife Leigh (of 3 Daughters Brewing), former councilmember Frank Peterman, Sebring City Council’s Terry Mendel and Downtown Partnership head Jason Mathis.
The business community was out in full force too, with appearances by MaintenX owner Pat O’Hara, property developer Mike Andon, Shark Tank’s Kevin Harrington, Viking Title owner Jennifer Powers, Gary Cardone, Bayfront Health CEO John Moore and former Jabil CEO Tim Main with his wife Donna.
Altogether, the evening felt like a snapshot of St. Pete’s creative and entrepreneurial energy—polished, welcoming, and just the right amount of glam.
As Sunscreen continued its 20th anniversary celebration with over 200 films, panels, and events throughout the weekend, Friday’s Yacht Club reception served as both a toast to indie film and a who’s-who kickoff that reminded everyone just how good this city is at showing up—and showing out.
All photos courtesy of @ShotByChinoMane.
