🎟 Hours, tickets, and parking

• The fair runs for 12 days, and gates open at 11 a.m. + close shortly after 9 p.m.
• Tickets are available online. Admission costs $10 for adults, and children ages five and under get in free.
• You can also purchase tickets at select Wawa locations.
• Parking is free, and you can enter from the entrances at Orient Road, Martin Luther King Boulevard., and US 301.
• Type 4800 US Hwy. 301 N., Tampa into your GPS, and it should take you to the fun at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

🍗 Fried fair fare and other eats

Photo via Florida State Fair

• Tampa Cuban funnel cake sandwich
  
  • This decadent sandy features Spanish pork, ham, salami, cheese, pickles, and mustard, all pressed together between two glazed funnel cakes.
• Walking nacho dog
  
  • Feeling a little spicy? This hot dog packs a punch with juicy jalapenos, crunchy chips, and a decadent cheese sauce.
• Cookie taco supreme
  
  • Calling all sweet-tooths, this one’s for you. A warm gooey chocolate chip cookie cradles a scoop of creamy s’mores ice cream and is crowned with crumbled Oreos and drizzled in chocolate sauce — creating the perfect combo of crunch and cream. Plus, it’s topped with a dollop of whipped cream delight.

• 2023 South Tampa Chamber Annual Meeting & Awards Gala | Thursday, Feb. 9-Friday, Feb. 10 | 5-8 p.m. | George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Dr., Tampa | $95 | Network with neighbors and other Tampa residents.
• St. Pete Beach Drive Dine & Wine Tour | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Vinoy Hotel, 501 5th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | Visit the Vinoy Hotel, Birchwood Inn, The Canopy, and more for food and bevs.
• Lightning vs. Avalanche | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 7-10 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $46.25-$850 | Watch as the Lightning take on Colorado.
• The Elephant Man | Thursday, Feb. 9-Sunday, Feb. 19 | Times vary | HCC Ybor Studio Theatre, 1411 E. 11th Ave., Ybor City | $11-$55 | This play tells the story of Londoner John Merrick’s transformation.

• Music in the Park | Friday, Feb. 10 | 5-7 p.m. | Hyde Park Village, 1602 W. Swann Ave., Tampa | Free | Stop by the Village Circle to enjoy some live performances.
• Smell of the Kill | Friday, Feb. 10 | 8-10 p.m. | Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., #151, Tampa | $15-$50 | Michelle Lowe Take tells the chilling dark comedy of six cold-hearted husbands and wives.

• 2023 5K Honor Run | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 8 a.m. | Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Tampa | $35 | Register to run in the name of veterans and those who served the US Armed Forces.
• Shuffle Trash Pick Up | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Shuffle, 2612 N. Tampa St., Tampa | Free | Volunteers get a free drink and t-shirt (for first timers).
• Bark in the Park | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa | Free | Stop by to adopt a pup or browse the market and bring Fido for doggy-friendly activities.

• Zitnik Trains Spring Swap Meet | Sunday, Feb. 12 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Zitnik Trains, 5193 73rd Ave. N., Pinellas Park | Free | Fans of model building would love this train and train accessory trade expo.
• Second Sunday Market + Art Walk: Winter Edition | Sunday, Feb. 12 | 11 a.m. | Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa | Free | Peruse handmade goods, art, woodwork, and more in the Western Walkway.
• Super Bowl Sunday | Sunday, Feb. 12 | 11-3 a.m. | MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S. Howard Ave,. Tampa | Free | Watch the Chiefs take on the Eagles in the comfort of hot wings and beer pitchers.

• 81° | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain

• Rise: 7:13 a.m.
• Set: 6:18 p.m.

• High: 4:53 a.m. + 5:56 p.m.
• Low: 11:44 a.m. + 11:50 p.m.

• High: 12:56 a.m. 1:43 p.m.
• Low: 7:31 a.m. + 7:38 p.m.

• $8,340,000. That’s how much Lightning + Armature Works owner Jeff Vinik paid for his piece of the Tampa Edition (100 Water St.). Spoiler, it’s the most money spent on a condo in Tampa Bay ever. The 6,800-sqft penthouse makes up the entire 26th floor of the Marriot-owned uber-lux hotel. ䷖ (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• “Lezzetli” is the Turkish word for “delicious,” and it’s what you’ll be saying after dining at The Shops at WireGrass’ newest bistro, Bosphorus. The menu boasts fresh, Halal meats + authentic Mediterranean ingredients. The grande opening is still TBA, but we recommend the pan-fried zucchini patties and the Turkish-style pizza. (That’s So Tampa)

• Tiger Woods’ newest Tampa Bay PopStroke putting course officially opens Fri., Feb. 17. The high-concept course + restaurant is located along Sierra Center Boulevard in Lutz. All 18 holes were designed to offer a realistic golf experience with fairways, bunkers, and roughs. ⛳️ (Tampa Bay Times)

• Breeze Airways, a new low-cost airliner, just partnered with USF Athletics. This sponsorship is considered one of the most lucrative in the school’s history, although the exact numbers weren’t released. Some of TPA’s Breeze flights head to Rhode Island, Virginia, New York, Las Vegas, Charleston, and other US destinations. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• Prepare for take off. Walmart’s growing drone delivery program, “DroneUp,” is taking over part of the parking lot at 19910 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Right now, the hub is making four to five deliveries a day. The mega-store charges an extra $3.99 for the service. (Tampa Bay Times)

• Today is National Pizza Day. Cheese the day by ordering a large ‘za from a local spot like Eddie and Sam’s (203 E. Twiggs St., Tampa) or Top Slice (21 3rd St. N., St. Petersburg). If you’re in knead of a whole list, check out our top recommendations. 🍕

• President Biden is making his way to Tampa Bay today. Head over to our Instagram, where we’re keeping you updated regarding traffic + road shut-downs. 🇺🇸 (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

• Level up your sleep hygiene and wake up feeling well-rested with a little help from two top-rated products: this blackout sleep mask with ~9,000 five-star reviews and this sleek white noise machine complete with 31 different soothing sounds. 💤 *

• Fri., April 21, vs. Chicago White Sox

• Fri., May 26, vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

• Sat., June 24 vs. Kansas City Royals

• Sat., August 12 vs. Cleveland Guardians

• Sat., September 9 vs. Seattle Mariners