If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend (March 2-4), there's plenty of action happening around the Tampa Bay area.
Friday, March 2
Florida Strawberry Festival
When: March 1-11
Where: Florida Strawberry Festival at 303 North Lemon Street, Plant City
Cost: $8
Info: The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11-day community event celebrating the strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County. Each year, over 500,000 visitors enjoy the festival’s headline entertainment, youth livestock shows, rides, exhibits of commerce and, of course, its strawberry shortcake.
Tampa Bay Boat Show
When: March 2-4
Where: Florida State Fairgrounds at 4800 U.S. 301, Tampa
Cost: Free
Info: The Tampa Bay Boat Show will be overflowing with watercraft and exhibits for the boating enthusiast. This is an event you don’t want to miss. Millions of dollars of inventory on display indoors! You could be on the water...before the weekend is over!
WineFest 2018: Wine’s World
When: March 2-3
Where: Tampa Theater at 711 North Franklin Street, Tampa
Cost: Click here for more information
Info: WineFest 2018 will be party time when Wayne and Garth warm up the couch for three days of Wine’s World. This year’s event features bites from local independent restaurants, sips from the finest wineries, an exclusive evening of wine and food pairings, and a very special screening of this year’s theme film. The Theatre’s historic stage will be expanded to seat more than 275 for the elegant Wine Pairing on Friday, March 2. The multi-course menu, created and catered by Mise En Place chef Marty Blitz, will feature delectable small plates expertly paired with exquisite wines.
Gulfport Art Walk
When: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: Beach Boulevard South, Gulfport
Cost: Free
Info: Observe and purchase from talented independent artists at work all along Beach & Shore Boulevards, as well as the works of local authors and entertainers stretched over a half-mile up and down scenic Beach Boulevard. Live musicians, including The New Horizons Band, Paul Anthony and others will be appearing at venues throughout the Village. While browsing the art and craft booths, don’t miss Gulfport’s unique shops, boutiques and galleries. Enjoy dinner at one of over a dozen fine restaurants within the Art District, now one of the foremost dining destinations in the Bay Area.
Saturday, March 3
St. Petersburg Seafood & Music Festival
When: March 3-4
Where: Vinoy Park at 701 Bay Shore Drive Northeast, St. Petersburg
Cost: $7
Info: Join the action in Vinoy Park for the 2nd Annual St. Petersburg Seafood & Music Festival! Select from delectable foods cooked on site incorporating the freshest ingredients by local restaurants and food purveyors. Choose from seafood dishes including grouper, mahi-mahi, stone crabs, and oysters. A variety of meat entrees and vegetarian dishes also are on the menu along with a diversity of side dishes and desserts and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. While enjoying your meal, make sure to sit back and relax to live music!
5K Foam Fest
When: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: Little Everglades Ranch at 17951 Hamilton Road, Dade City
Cost: $40
Info: The 5K Foam Fest is a one of kind Obstacle Course based fun run. Check out 22+ obstacles including the world's largest inflatable waterslide, mud pits and 2.5 million cubic feet of foam! Rock out all day to 12,000 watts of awesome music, enjoy a free kids zone for kids 7 and under, delicious food, great vendors and beer gardens. With a variety obstacles and a ton of foam the run is an exciting challenge for experienced and beginner runners alike. The 5K Foam Fest is not a hardcore run, it’s a FUNCORE run. Get filthy clean!
48th Annual Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
When: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park at 600 North Ashley Drive, Tampa
Cost: Free
Info: Every year, downtown Tampa transforms into one giant outdoor museum when hundreds of artists gather for the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. Imagine some of the world’s preeminent artists, hand-selected from over 1,000 submissions, all in one place. Since 1970, the festival has flourished in Tampa Bay, attracting more than 250,000 people every year. From pottery and photography to glass, digital mediums, paintings, mixed media, wood and watercolors, there’s art for everyone to enjoy.
Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival
When: 12 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Where: Busch Gardens at 10165 N McKinley Drive Terrace Park, Tampa
Cost: $90
Info: The festival features signature dishes along with exciting new cuisine, including 16 all-new dishes plus a large selection of wines, craft brews and cocktails. Eighteen of the biggest acts in musical entertainment will take the stage every weekend on Gwazi Field. All concerts are included with any Annual Pass, Fun Card or daily admission to the park. Food and beverage is not included with park admission and is available for an extra fee. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.
Beauty and Balance
When: 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: Westfield Citrus Park (Sears Court) at 8021 Citrus Park Town Center, Tampa
Cost: Click here for more information
Info: Beauty and Balance will focus on three main pillars: body, brain and beauty, while highlighting all aspects of self-care for women including fashion, leadership, entrepreneurship, fitness and mindfulness. The Beauty & Balance program will host live Zumba classes from the YMCA, The Market at Citrus Park, mini makeovers and hairstyles by Paul Mitchell School, mini hand facials from Venus mini Med Spa and a zen zone from Earthbound Trading Co.!
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Amalie Arena at 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa
Cost: Click here for ticket information
Info: Come watch the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Philadelphia Flyers at Amalie Arena on Saturday night! Puck drops at 1 p.m.
Sunday, March 4
Hockey Day in Tampa Bay
When: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Where: Amalie Arena at 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa
Cost: $10
Info: Calling Tampa Bay hockey fans! Your favorite game takes center stage at AMALIE Arena on Sunday, March 4! All proceeds from the day's events will benefit the Lightning Sled Hockey team and the Hockey Is For Everyone Program of the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa. You can learn how to play hockey, buy equipment, compete in the Chase Street Hockey Tournament and much more!
Holi Color Fest
When: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Florida State Fairgrounds’ North Dome at 4800 U.S. 301, Tampa
Cost: $15
Info: The Holi Color Fest will feature non-stop live music from great bands, yoga, mantras, dance, cuisine, and the throwing of colors! No permanent or oil based colors or aerosol cans will be allowed.
Spring Training: Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees
When: 1:05 p.m.
Where: George M. Steinbrenner Field at 1 Steinbrenner Drive Drew Park, Tampa
Cost: $23
Info: Baseball is back! Head to George Steinbrenner Field to watch the Tampa Bay Rays take on the New York Yankees in Spring Training action!
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