12.22.2023

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Today’s Forecast

Important Message

Season’s greetings, TBAY. We’ll be out of office until the new year to spend time with our loved ones. Until then, we’re pausing our newsletter sends and reducing our social posts. We’ll see you in your inboxes at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. 👋

❄️ Memories from 1977

Your memories of TBAY’s historic 1977 snowfall

A family stands by a snow-covered car. The date is written on the car: Jan. 19, 1977.

Looks like dad doesn’t even own a beanie. | Photo via @rubencapote49

Earlier this week, we wrote about the last time there was significant snowfall in the Tampa Bay area. Long story short, it hasn’t happened since 1977.

Before we get to your stories, let’s start with a quick recap:

A cold front whipped through Florida 46 years ago leading to one to two inches of snowfall in parts of the Tampa Bay area.
Snow fell overnight between Jan. 18 + Jan. 19 and was found as far south as Miami.
The event caused havoc, with the Tampa Bay Times reporting ~200 road accidents and 79 hospitalizations.

The Kennedy Bridge is covered in snow in a black and white photo. Cars are trying to cross. — Do you recognize the Kennedy Bridge?
|
Photo via @rubencapote49

Here are your memories:

Sherry M. remembers it vividly: “I was six years old and remember my neighbors knocking on our door very early that morning, shouting ‘get up it’s snowing!’ My brother and I ran outside in t-shirts, shorts and sneakers to play... It was wonderful! We made little snowballs, and of course tasted it. I always have hope now that it may snow again in Tampa Bay!” Us too, Sherry. Us too.
Joe P. said: “I was a senior at the University of South Florida’s campus in Tampa then and remember it well.” It was Joe’s first time ever seeing snow.
Ned D. and his two sisters scraped snow from bumpers, hoods, tailgates, and the back of truck beds. They made little snowballs, fought with them and also made some to put in their freezer. Ned said, “schools were closed” and “everything pretty much shut down in Tampa Bay.”
Sally M. remembers a picture her mother took of her as a one-year-old in the snow.
Larkilita M. remembers a snowfall in 1963 when she was a third-grader at Skyview Elementary — “our teacher let us go out and catch the flakes.” Larkilita also remembers snow flurries in 1989, although this event was only a dusting.

Thank you to everyone who wrote in. We’d love to read even more stories — get in touch.

Events

Friday, Dec. 22

Christmas Town | Friday, Dec. 22-Sunday, Jan. 7 | 10 a.m.-9 p.m. | Busch Gardens, 10165 N. McKinley Dr., Tampa | $80+ | The seasonal event enters its final weeks where animal encounters, festive displays, and roller coasters are main attractions.
St. Petersburg Waterfront Holiday Light Displays | Friday, Dec. 22-Monday, Jan. 1 | 6 p.m. | Multiple parks, St. Petersburg | Free | Time is running out to gaze at twinkling lights by the water.
Cirque Musica: “Holiday Wonderland” | Friday, Dec. 22 | 7 p.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Rd., Clearwater | $35 | Enjoy live holiday music combined with acrobatic feats at this show.

Saturday, Dec. 23

Holiday Lighted Boat Parade | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 6 p.m. | Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa | Free | Head to the waterfront park or the Riverwalk to watch the festive flotilla make its way down the Hillsborough River.

Tuesday, Dec. 26

Kwanzaa St. Pete Celebration | Tuesday, Dec. 26 | 5-8 p.m. | St. Pete Youth Farm, 1650 12th St. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Join St. Pete Youth Farm and Gallerie 909 for the 10th annual celebration on the first night, Umoja (unity).

Wednesday, Dec. 27

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers | Wednesday, Dec. 27 | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $68+ | Cheer on the Bolts as they take the ice against division rivals — the Lightning also play at Amalie on Saturday, Dec. 30 + Sunday, Dec. 31.

Thursday, Dec. 28

Wading Bird Walk | Thursday, Dec. 28 | 9-11 a.m. | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Dr. NE, St. Petersburg | $3 | Head into nature and check out the avian delights the preserve has to offer.

Friday, Dec. 29

Jen Kramer’s Magical Holiday Show | Friday, Dec. 29 | 1 p.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Rd., Clearwater | $18+ | Scratch your head as the renowned Las Vegas magician wows the crowd with jaw-dropping tricks.

Saturday, Dec. 30

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet | Saturday, Dec. 30 | 12 p.m., 4 p.m., 8 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg | $37+ | Soak in festive vibes at this classic show, featuring stars from the Ukraine Ballet.

Sunday, Dec. 31

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints | Sunday, Dec. 31 | 1 p.m. | Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa | $95+ | Head to Ray Jay for this NFC South matchup with serious playoff implications — but keep an eye on NFL news, because the game could be moved.
Swingin’ the New Year | Sunday, Dec. 31 | 7:30 p.m. | St. Petersburg Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $43+ | Hit up the annual event for a dance lesson, dance contests, photo booth, cash bar, with vintage attire encouraged.
New Year’s Eve with Marshmello | Sunday, Dec. 31 | 8 p.m.-1 a.m. | Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa | $150+ | People aged 21+ can head to the popular riverfront spot for an evening of tunes, dancing, drinks, and a fireworks show to ring in 2024.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Shop

Seasonal

4 last-minute holiday gifts

The red and blue Nintendo Switch console.

Get two-day shipping on a Nintendo Switch. | Photo via Amazon

Not quite done holiday shopping? No judgment here. Browse digital gifts and gifts that, last we checked, ship in two days with Prime.

For college students: A Prime Student membership. They’ll get discounts on college essentials + free Grubhub delivery.

For family members: A Nintendo Switch. You can play games fun for the whole family, like Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

For “Star Wars” fans: A stormtrooper shaver.

For kids (or busy parents): An Owala kids bottle.

More last-minute gifts this way

News Notes

Announced

Please stay off the sand dunes. That’s a request from Pinellas County officials who say post-Hurricane Idalia restoration work was undone by last week’s winter storm. Roughly 50% of the sand only recently replaced in places like Indian Rocks Beach and Belleair Beach was washed away. (Tampa Bay Times)

Ranked

No. 29. That’s where Tampa ranked on WalletHub’s list of “Best Cities for Christmas.” The rankings were reached using metrics like cost, traditions, holiday observance, and shopping options. St. Pete ranked No. 80.

Feel Good

Four families are enjoying the holidays in new homes thanks to the efforts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Habitat for Humanity. A ceremony took place in Temple Terrace earlier this week, where players including Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antoine Winfield Jr., and Lavonte David all helped hand over the keys. (FOX 13)

Sports

Speaking of the Bucs, it’s another huge weekend for Tampa Bay’s NFL team. The Jacksonville Jaguars are making the trip to Ray Jay from Duval County on Sunday for a 4:05 p.m. kickoff in a game between two division leaders vying for a playoff berth. Get your tickets.

Shop

There’s a great opportunity to grab those final gifts today. Indie Flea is hosting a final holiday showcase from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bandit (2662 Central Ave.). Stop by to browse housewares, plants, candles, jewelry, Florida-themed items, and more.

Try This

St. Pete Comic Con returns next month. The third annual event at The St. Petersburg Coliseum takes place Saturday, Jan. 6 + Sunday, Jan. 7 where sci-fi, anime, and cosplay fans can meet stars of the industry, from voice actors to esteemed cosplayers. Grab tickets starting at $25. (I Love the Burg)

Festival

St. Pete will host a Winter Pride festival in 2025. Organizers hope to host the event from Feb. 3-9. Initial plans include vendors + a street festival. At this point, a parade — like the one that happens in June — does not seem to be on the cards. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Arts

Registration is open for Spring art classes at the Polk Museum of Art. Perfect as a holiday gift, these workshops offer adults + teens the opportunity to gain new skills in a relaxed atmosphere. From Figure Drawing to Photoshop for Photographers, there’s a wide range of disciplines to choose from.*

Community

Well, this is officially our last News Note of 2023. Thank you to our TBAYtoday community for staying connected with us this year. If you want to support us in 2024, consider becoming a member — you’ll support us directly and keep these newsletters coming. Until next year, folks.

Play

🎡 TBAY was made for family fun

Kid-friendly activities in Tampa Bay

Glass figures of all shapes and sizes are at the Chihuly Collection. They are brightly colored.

The Chihuly Collection is a feast for the eyes. | Photo by TBAYtoday

It’s play time, kiddos. TBAY is filled with interactive and engaging things to do to keep kids busy. Here’s some of our 26 ways to do just that:

Chihuly Collection — The Morean Arts Center, 720 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | Take in Dale Chihuly’s massive glass sculpture works. Kids will remember the rock candy-esque 20-ft sculpture at the collection’s entrance.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa | 🎟️ Family memberships available
Bring the kids on a Saturday to roam the 63-acre zoo or to take in seasonal events like Christmas in the Wild + Creatures of the Night. Kids will remember the Macaw Flyover.

Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa | Explore the scientific playground’s NASA exhibit, butterfly garden, and the Saunders Planetarium. Kids will remember the Sky Ropes course.

Anderson Park, 821 S. Rome Ave., Tampa | Located right off the main drag in Hyde Park is a top-notch kids park with brand new basketball courts, a jungle gym, and recreation center. Kids will remember splashing in the spray of the iconic lion fountains.

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

22 more

The Buy

The Buy 12.22.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

This versatile wristlet from Avryn Co. that’s crafted with top-grade leather — because you’ve probably been buying for others this holiday season, and you deserve something nice too.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Patrick

From the editor

This is the last newsletter you’ll receive from us in 2023. We are taking a short break to spend time with our loved ones, and will be back in your inbox bright and early in 2024.

So, on behalf of the entire team here at TBAYtoday, whatever you’re doing or celebrating this holiday season, we truly wish you all the best, and we’ll see you soon.

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