We preview the massive Tampa arts event and bring you the deets on filing your taxes.
6AM City In-house

A little party never hurt nobody...

It’s Gasparilla Festival of the Arts time
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Browse the massive festival for your next fave art find — or just enjoy an artsy day on the scenic waterfront. | Photo by @gasparillaarts
This may be Tampa’s biggest weekend or month of the year — between the Strawberry Festival, Rock the Park and, of course, the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. The massive creative fair takes over Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park each spring (this is the 53rd year).

So make a plan + text the group chat now. You won’t want to miss this artsy, fartsy fair.

This year’s festival features:
Pro tip: Part of the beauty of arts festivals is discovering + building your own taste. Spend time exploring without a motive, collect business cards, and chat with artists about their intent for the piece. You may just find your new fave genre.

Here’s what you need to know to go:
Pro tip: We recommend making a day of it. Book dinner plans at a new Tampa restaurant you haven’t been to, maybe Small Giant, Boulon Brasserie, or one of Sparkman Wharf’s new additions.

Need more ideas for your festival weekend? Check out our Tampa Bay Date night guide.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today, Feb. 28
  • Toronto Blue Jays vs. Detroit Tigers | Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 1:07 p.m. | TD Ballpark, 373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin | $17-$33 | Spring training is here — and the Canadians take on the boys from Detroit.
  • Date Nights in the Heights | Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa | $100 | Learn how to build a beautiful charcuterie board with your honey.
  • An Evening with Cheryl A. Head and Sheree L. Greer | Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 7-8 p.m. | Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Sheree L. Greer interviews Cheryl A. Head about her new novel “Time’s Undoing.”
  • Path of the Panther (2023) | Tuesday, Feb. 28, Wednesday, Mar. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $10-$12 | Carlton Ward, Jr. and Eric Bendick’s new documentary chronicles the Florida panther.
Wednesday, March 1
  • Hillsborough County Women’s Hall of Fame | Wednesday, March 1-Friday, March 31 | Times vary | Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St., Tampa | Free | Check out the past 13 years of the Hillsborough County Women’s Hall of Fame’s honorees and the new 2023 recipients.
  • South Florida Bulls Men’s Basketball vs. Tulsa Hurricanes | Wednesday, Mar. 1 | 7 p.m. | Yuengling Center, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa | $10-$50 | Scope out the Bulls’ skills.
  • Sunset Yoga at St. Pete Pier | Wednesday, Mar. 1, Wednesday, Apr. 5 | Times vary | Spa Beach Park, 600 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | Free | The Body Electric Yoga Company leads a practice for all skill levels — donations are welcome.
Thursday, March 2
  • Florida Strawberry Festival | Thursday, March 2-Sunday, March 12 | Times vary | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, 2209 W. Oak Ave., Plant City | $4-$8 | Celebrate all things strawberry with rides, concerts, and plenty of fair food at this annual festival.
  • Nina On My Mind | Thursday, Mar. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $22-$40 | Listen to the bluesy and jazzy sounds of Ms. Simone at this tribute performance.
  • Ilana Glazer & Friends | Thursday, Mar. 2 | 8 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $37 | The “Broad City” star takes the historic stage.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather
  • 83º | Partly cloudy | 11% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 6:55 a.m.
  • Set: 6:29 p.m.
Tides
Old Tampa Bay
  • High: 8:12 p.m.
  • Low: 4:32 a.m.
Clearwater Beach
  • High: 5:12 p.m.
  • Low: 12:54 a.m.
Outdoors
  • Happy trails. The first phase of Dunedin’s Gladys E. Douglas Preserve opened this past weekend. Citizens fought for years to preserve the 44 acres of Old Florida terrain. Now they’ll enjoy its future with ample hiking trails and a soon-to-come kayak launch, fishing pier, gathering space, and more. 🥾 (Tampa Bay Times)
Real Estate
  • Mixon’s Fruit Farm, Bradenton’s longtime citrus fruit farm + country store, is on the market. Owners are asking $15.8 million for the 39-acre property, which they say can be turned into a living community or continue as an agriculture business. 🍊 (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Health
  • Both Tampa General + Moffitt plan to offer proton therapy at their new health centers. Construction begins later this year on Moffitt’s Global Innovation Center in Pasco County, and Tampa General’s 44,000-sqft center will be built in Downtown Tampa. Right now, no area hospitals offer the cancer treatment — which shoots protons at dangerous cells. (Tampa Bay Times)
  • In other health news, BayCare’s new Wesley Chapel hospital opens March 7. The 318,000-sqft, 86-bed hospital will serve Pasco + Hernando County residents. Here’s a preview. 🏥 (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Closing
  • Davis Islands’ Bayou Bodega served its last meal over the weekend. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay previously named the Latin, French, and Creole restaurant one of “Tampa Bay’s 50 Best Restaurants.” (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Community
  • Here’s your chance to see Florida literary legend Jack Davis — of “The Bald Eagle” fame— in the flesh. The Pulitzer Prize winner is the first speaker in the Florida Studies Speaker Series at USF St. Pete. Make plans to attend the free presentation on Tuesday, Feb. 28. 📚 (I Love the Burg)
Plan Ahead
  • A good hair day is on the way. The Natural Experience Expo is coming to the St. Petersburg Coliseum Sunday, March 19. Stop by to meet stylists, check out new hair products, watch tutorials, and listen to panels. Book tickets online.
Shop
  • The best way to love your grocery run? Get rewarded for it. Publix GreenWise Market’s Rewards program offers shopping perks that are worth getting excited about. Think: Personalized deals, a birthday treat, and $5 off a $10 purchase just for signing up. 🛒 *
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Let’s get fiscal

Filing your taxes in Tampa Bay, FL
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Don’t let tax season be a stressor — these resources can help. | Photo via Unsplash
For better or worse, it’s that time of year again — tax season. Before you stress, we’re here to share some guidance for filing.

First and foremost, see the IRS’s list of up-to-date tax tips. It covers frequently asked questions like understanding business travel deductions and how military members and their families can receive help with their taxes at no cost.

Tampa is also home to these local tax resources:
Ready to get started filing your taxes? File online with H&R Block’s four different filing options, from free to Premium. Or, file with a tax pro’s help. Don’t forget, the last day to file your taxes is Tuesday, April 18.*
GET FILING
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Bailey.

Editor’s pick: If you haven’t been to Mixon’s, it’s worth a trip. The old school citrus farm has THE BEST creamsicle ice cream + and a picturesque koi pond to enjoy it beside.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We’re always on the lookout for new knick knacks.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Brad Haft, Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith, Josh Kranzberg | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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