City

Namiah Simpson

Mike Cooper

• Tampa Oktoberfest | Friday, Oct. 13-Sunday, Oct. 15 | Times vary | Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa | $10-$20 | The area’s largest Oktoberfest celebration features stein hoisting, dancing, music, and German eats.
• “The Crucible” | Friday, Oct. 13-Sunday, Oct. 15 | Times vary | Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., Ste. 151, Tampa | $24-$60 | Time is running out to catch the Arthur Miller play that delves into the 17th-century witchcraft trials in Salem, Massachusetts.

• The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Chihuly Garden, 720 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | Free | Wander the patch and purchase your own handcrafted piece, plus enjoy fall themed treats and family photo ops.
• USF Botanical Gardens Fall Plant Festival | Saturday, Oct. 14-Sunday, Oct. 15 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | USF Botanical Gardens, 12210 USF Pine Dr., Tampa | $0-$10 | Browse stands stocked with tons of plants from commercial growers and local clubs from throughout the state.
• Pops in the Park | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg | Free | Pack a blanket and picnic for free music under the stars featuring film scores, Broadway hits, and symphonic favorites.

• Hispanic Heritage Celebration: Ford’s Taste of Latino | Sunday, Oct. 15 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Centennial Park, 1800 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa | $0-$220 | Bring a lawn chair and enjoy live music, dance performances, and the Top Latino Chef Contest.

• Nightmare on Franklin Street: Mummy and Me: “Wendell and Wild” | Monday, Oct. 16 | 3 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $0-$10 | In this animated film, two demon brothers get help from 13-year-old Kat Elliot to bring them to the land of the living.

• A new music-focused cocktail lounge is headed to Water Street Tampa. Alter Ego, headed by the Proper House Group and Chef Ferrell Alvarez — the same minds behind spots like Gallito Taqueria + Ash — is set to open in early 2024 at 1050 Water St.

• For the first time ever, Billy Joel and Sting will perform together — and lucky for us, they’ll be doing it right here in Tampa at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 24. Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 20.

• The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority recently applied for a $45 million grant to further its bus rapid transit service between downtown Tampa and the University of South Florida. If awarded, the grant will go towards stations along the north-south corridor. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• Mochinut is the moment. The Mochi donut business recently opened a new location in Lutz at 25704 Sierra Center Blvd., with plans to open a New Tampa location soon at 17512 Dona Michelle Dr. Stay updated on openings via Instagram. (That’s So Tampa)

• According to a new study, infections of flesh-eating bacteria may double by 2060. Stay safe by avoiding saltwater or brackish water if you have a wound or a recent surgery, piercing, or tattoo; covering wounds with a waterproof bandage; and washing wounds and cuts with soap and water. (Tampa Bay Times)

• St. Pete’s historic Kerouac House — the former home of author Jack Kerouac — will host a variety of eerie, Halloween-themed stories and plays this weekend. Tours will run for ~45 minutes and take place between 6 and 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday + 3 and 8 p.m. on Sunday. Purchase tickets. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

• Tampa Bay Watch started its Community Oyster Reef Enhancement Program to help restore oyster reefs. Through the Shells to Shoreline Program, dining at local restaurants like Oystercatchers + The Oyster Bar provides the program with 7,000 pounds of shell a month — shells going out of landfills and into helping restore oyster habitats. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

• To celebrate its sponsorship of this year’s SHINE Mural Festival, Vinoy Resort’s pastry team at Lottie Patisserie created special art-themed pastries. The macarons will be available for purchase all throughout the festival taking place today, Oct. 13-Sunday, Oct. 22. Take a peek.

• The St. Petersburg Museum of History’s annual Cocktails on the Courts fundraiser returns tomorrow, Oct. 14. From 7 to 10 p.m., attendees can enjoy drinks, dinner, music, and dancing under the stars. Tickets start at $100. (I Love the Burg)

• This is the last call for submissions in our TBAYtoday Pumpkin Carving Contest. Decorate your pumpkin, take a picture, and submit it by this Sunday, Oct. 15 for a chance to win the inaugural TBAYtoday best jack-o’-lantern award. Make a submission.

• And the best neighbor award goes to… you, for directly supporting TBAYtoday with the gift of your membership. Not only will you join our super cool membership club (and get perks including birthday shoutouts), but you’ll keep this newsletter free for the entire neighborhood. Way to go, neighbor.

• First, the most obvious: Watch “Friday the 13th,” the classic horror film inspired by superstitions surrounding the day. Kick off Tampa Theatre’s “Nightmare on Franklin Street” series by watching this flick with friends at 7 p.m.
• Get a tattoo. It’s become tradition for tattoo parlors to offer specials on Friday the 13th. Get inked at a local spot offering deals, like Atomic Tattoos or Ybor City Tattoo Co.
• Brave a local haunt. Take advantage of Howl-O-Scream’s Friday the 13th flash sale.
• Get boosy. Head to Darkaire Collective + If I Brewed the World’s Friday the 13th Festival — best costume gets a prize.
• Cozy up in the safety of your own home and delve into the rabbit hole that is Tampa’s haunted past. This guide will get you started.