🎖️ Famous records

• A stroll along Bayshore Boulevard is not only relaxing, but it’s also record-setting — the world’s longest continuous pedestrian walkway measures 4.5 miles.
• The Burg holds the Guinness World Record for most consecutive days of sunshine, spanning 768 days between February 1967 and March 1969.

💪 Feats of strength

• Pinellas County resident Jane Rhodes Martin was honored by Guinness as the world’s oldest female scuba diver, a day shy of her 96th birthday.
• In 2023, 60-year-old Rob Stirling broke the record for most pushups in an hour, with a gargantuan 3,264 at a Tampa gym. He was unfortunately bested later in the year, before his efforts could be verified by Guinness. We’re counting it.

🏈 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• The Bucs hold the unwanted record for longest losing streak in NFL history (26 games) in 1976 + 1977. The run also marked the worst beginning to any NFL franchise, as it came during the Bucs’ first and second ever seasons.
• On a brighter note, Tom Brady became the oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, beating the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium in 2021. Brady was 43 years and 189 days old.

🥳 Just for fun

• South Tampa’s Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant prepared the world’s largest pitcher of sangria back in 2013. The restaurant used 750+ bottles of wine to make 269 gallons in a nine-foot pitcher.
• The world’s largest collection of autographed baseballs can be found at the St. Petersburg Museum of History, belonging to Dennis Schrader. He has collected 5,000+ since the 1950s.
• In 1995, Vesta Gueschkova set the record for longest distance for a human to be fired as an arrow when the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus came to the Cigar City. Gueschkova was fired 75 feet from a crossbow. We’re confused, too.

• Florida State Fair | Thursday, Feb. 8-Monday, Feb. 19 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US Hwy. 301 N., Tampa | $6-$16 | It’s the first day of the annual event, featuring fair eats + drinks, rides, games, animal shows, and other family-friendly fun.
• “Twelfth Night” | Thursday, Feb. 8-Sunday, Feb. 11 | Times vary | Jaeb Theater, The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $24+ | Time is running out to catch this run of the Shakespearean comedy in downtown Tampa, featuring iconic traits of disguise, love, and whimsy.
• Ken Flores | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Tampa Funny Bone, 1600 E. 8th Ave., Tampa | $32+ | Head to Ybor for an evening of entertainment from this comedian, renowned for his unfiltered approach.

• “Chemistry of Cocktails” | Friday, Feb. 9 | 6-9 p.m. | Great Explorations Children’s Museum, 1925 4th St. N., St. Petersburg | $55 | Join expert mixologists guided by chemistry to create libations and cocktails with a range of techniques, benefiting child education.
• Bored Teachers | Friday, Feb. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Rd., Clearwater | $39+ | The internet sensation takes the Clearwater stage, conveying the funny side of life educating today’s youth.
• Salsa Sounds with Point 6 | Friday, Feb. 9 | 7:30 p.m.-12 a.m. | Tampa EDITION, 500 Channelside Dr., Tampa | Free | Catch tunes + unbeatable downtown views in the heart of the Big Guava.

• Monster Jam | Saturday, Feb. 10-Sunday, Feb. 11 | Times vary | Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa | $20+ | Head to Ray Jay to watch huge trucks flying through the air, performing a whole host of tricks + stunts.

• $14.75 million. That’s how much the 1100 block of St. Pete’s Central Avenue just sold for. The space will be used for the second phase of the “EDGE Collective” mixed use development, set to include 350 apartments + 20,000 sqft of retail space. (Tampa Bay Times)

• Prepare for disruptions on Ybor City’s roads this Saturday, Feb. 10 for the Knights of Sant’ Yago Parade. The closure of 7th Avenue starts at 2 p.m. and crossroads will shut at 6:30 p.m. TECO Streetcar services will also be disrupted. Take a peek at the parade map.

• Some of the Tampa Bay area’s best grub will be up for grabs at the Taste of South Tampa food festival next month. The Sunday, March 3 event at 2629 Bayshore Blvd. showcases 50+ local restaurants and top-notch chefs cooking up a storm. Grab tickets. (That’s So Tampa)

• We already told you about Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but there’s another TBAY native to look out for at this weekend’s Super Bowl. Ray-Ray McCloud plays wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers and was born and raised in Hillsborough County. McCloud attended Sickles High School in Citrus Park. (WTSP)

• Voodoo Brewing Co. is opening soon in downtown St. Pete. An official opening date has not yet been set for the location at 220 4th St. N. But when the doors do open, guests will be able to enjoy beers, eats, cocktails, and brewpub surroundings. (I Love the Burg)

• Indie Flea returns to Ybor City this Sunday, Feb. 11. Shoppers can browse wares from 12 to 4 p.m. at 1920 E. 7th Ave., featuring local crafters, vintage finds, plants, and handmade goods.

• A luxury home in downtown St. Pete recently listed for $5.95 million. On top of the location, the property at 103 5th Ave. N. boasts ~6,600 sqft, six bedrooms, a pool area, rooftop hangout + bar, home gym, and a host of other luxe amenities. There’s a video tour, too. (St. Pete Rising)

• As road construction continues around Tampa’s King State Coffee location (520 E. Floribraska Ave.), the business has filed for bankruptcy. Last month, owners put out a plea for more foot traffic, but are now trying to protect the business’ financial future, with April being the earliest construction could end. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• Say cheese. You can now make your own cheese at the recently opened Cheeseology in Ybor City (1527 E. 7th Ave.). During workshops, visitors not only have the option of making dairy delights, but can also pair them with wines + beers. Experiences start at $75. (That’s So Tampa)

• A friendly reminder to book spring + summer vacations (they’re just around the corner). Looking for privacy? This beachfront Bahamas cottage is perfect for two. Prefer the mountains? Book this newly built Gatlinburg, TN cabin. Want beach time? Walk to St. Simons, GA’s shore from this Vrbo that’s also a treehouse.*

• UNCF Black History Month Walk for Education and HBCU Homecoming Festival | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Perry Harvey Sr. Park, 1000 E. Harrison St., Tampa | $15-$35 | This event features live music + entertainment, and helps fund scholarships.
• February ArtWalk | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 5-9 p.m. | Creative Clay, 1846 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Browse the “African Americans and the Arts: Celebrating Black History Month” exhibit.
• Water Street Tampa Market | Sunday, Feb. 18 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Water Street, Tampa | Price of purchase | Soak in live art demonstrations, performances, and music while exploring vendors.
• Black History Month Reception | Friday, Feb. 23 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St., Tampa | $75 | The third annual event will celebrate, recognize, educate, and inspire.