April 26, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

🎢 Rising from the ashes

Construction continues on the Phoenix Rising roller caster at Busch Gardens. A large crane is in front of a blue track, which sits beneath a largely cloudless sky. The sun is in the background and a building site is below.

The Phoenix is rising. | Photo by TBAYtoday

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s... oh wait, it actually is a bird.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has been offering ample adventures fit for every adrenaline tolerance since since 1959. The park’s popularity continues today, attracting ~4 million visitors each year thanks to its combination of animal attractions + conservation efforts, kid-friendly activities, entertainment options, food and drink choices, and lung-busting rides.

And now it’s time for the park’s latest development: Phoenix Rising, the park’s 10th coaster.

On your marks

The building process began last November in the park’s Pantopia area. That part of Busch Gardens is one of its most kid-friendly spots, already laden with a classic carousel and a huge games area.

The roller coaster is set to open later this year, potentially as early as the summertime. We had the chance to visit the building site for a hard hat tour + shared a sneak peek on our Instagram.

Get set

But why put a roller coaster in a kids’ area? We’re glad you asked.

Phoenix Rising is designed to be “the best first ‘big kid coaster’ to ride,” as highlighted by Busch Gardens Tampa Bay President Stewart Clark. Its rider height requirement will be just 42 inches (or 3.5 feet). That means the average 6-year-old can hop aboard and enjoy some thrill-seeking fun of their own.

A ground-floor look at the building site at Phoenix Gardens. The winding blue track is in front, with several people in high-viz jackets and hard hats stood nearby behind a barrier. The ground is sandy and construction equipment surrounds the track. — Boots are on the ground.
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Photo by TBAYtoday

Go

When we spoke with the creative team behind the coaster, they helped illuminate some of its design aspects:

Its light blue track represents the sky, and riders take the place of the phoenix on seats featuring the mythical bird’s colors of orange and yellow.
The coaster will have a musical soundtrack to accompany riders. That’s a first for Busch Gardens.
Phoenix Rising will reach maximum speeds of 44 mph on an inverted track, meaning riders’ feet are suspended. So mom and dad can also get their adrenaline fix, too.

Whether you’re waiting for for Phoenix Rising, or want to gaze longingly at the animals, tickets are always on sale.

Asked

What’s your favorite roller coaster at Busch Gardens?

A. Iron Gwazi
B. SheiKra
C. Cheetah Hunt
D. Kumba

Spill your thrill

Events

Friday, April 26

“Dalí & the Impressionists: Monet, Renoir, Degas & More” | Friday, April 26-Sunday, April 28 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | The Dalí Museum, 1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg | $0-$29 | It’s the last weekend to see the special exhibit, featuring Dalí’s early paintings, borrowed from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Streetcar Live | Friday, April 26 | 6-8 p.m. | Centro Ybor, 1600 E. 8th Ave., Tampa | Free | Ride through Downtown Tampa on the TECO Streetcar, with free tunes guiding the way.
Tampa Tarpons vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers | Friday, April 26-Sunday, April 28 | Times vary | George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Dr., Tampa | $2+ | Catch a Minor League ballgame in the Big Guava this weekend.

Saturday, April 27

Earth Week Cleanup | Saturday, April 27 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Tangerine Plaza, 1794 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg | Free with registration | Join Keep Pinellas Beautiful to keep our home clean during Earth Week 2024.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers | Saturday, April 27 | 5 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $100+ | The NHL playoffs are back in the Big Guava as the Bolts look to keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive.

Sunday, April 28

Midtown Tampa Wedding Show | Sunday, April 28 | 12-3 p.m. | Sal Y Mar Midtown Tampa, 3659 Midtown Dr., Tampa | Free | Browse the finest local vendors for your big day + get the chance to win a free wedding on the venue’s rooftop.
Harlem Globetrotters | Sunday, April 28 | 3 p.m. | Yuengling Center, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa | $35+ | Watch the world-famous team ball out with skills, tricks, dunks, and a (probable) victory over the Washington Generals.
“Civil War” | Sunday, April 28-Friday, May 3 | Times vary | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $10+ | See why everyone’s talking about the new movie starring Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Sports

The Bolts’ Stanley Cup dreams are hanging on by a thread. The Florida Panthers won 5-3 at Amalie Arena last night to make it 3-0 in the Round 1 series. The Lightning need to win tomorrow night at Amalie Arena to keep the series alive.

Award

Stars aren’t the only thing being dished out by the Michelin Guide. Two Tampa spots are among the first cohort of Michelin Key recipients, awarded to the country’s best hotels. The Tampa EDITION + Palihouse Hyde Park Village were both honored. We checked out the latter when it opened in late 2023. (WFLA)

Number

$75 million. That’s how much an undeveloped island overlooking the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is listed for. Manatee County’s Rattlesnake Key lies where Terra Ceia Bay + Tampa Bay meet. The island spans 671 acres, with surrounding smaller islands + a mainland property bringing the total listed land to ~1,000 acres. (Tampa Bay Times)

Opening

St. Pete is getting a new slice of the Mediterranean. Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine already has four locations in the Orlando area, and is opening its first spot in TBAY soon at 1236 Central Ave. Diners will choose from a range of delights, including kebaps, falafel, moussaka, and baklava. (I Love the Burg)

Concert

Everything that shine ain’t always gonna be gold. Kid Cudi has canceled his upcoming Tampa show after breaking his foot while performing at Coachella. The rapper was set to perform at Amalie Arena on Saturday, July 6 as part of his “Insano World Tour.” (WFLA)

Announced

Rays-ing the stakes. The Tampa Bay Rays are teasing an upcoming jersey reveal. The reveal will be on Monday, April 29 + the team will wear the new fits on Friday, May 3. As rumor has it, the jerseys could feature a reference to St. Pete. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Trending

“It’s a lifestyle. It’s a religion.” Ybor City bakery Elevenses Co. is bringing back its “Gilmore Girls"-themed fun for a second consecutive year. A special preview of all things Stars Hollow is happening this Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 12th), before the themed menu runs Wednesday, May 15th-Saturday, June 1.

Sports

Who did the Buccaneers pick in Round 1 of the NFL Draft last night? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Watch

For the first time ever, Hulu Live TV is offering a three day free trial. Get 33 of the top 35 cable channels, Hulu on demand, Disney+, and ESPN+.*

Home

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Culture

✒️ The Tampa Bay Poets Department

A top-down view of a laptop sitting on a table with an open notebook and pen sitting on top of it. Next to the laptop is a latte in a mug atop a white saucer. The latte has a foam heart on top.

Drumroll, please. | Photo by Pixabay via Pexels

This month, we ran a poetry contest to celebrate National Poetry Month. We challenged our readers to craft a poem using only the words that appeared in one of our newsletters (here are the original contest guidelines if you want to give it a try).

While prose is our newsletter’s bread and butter, it turns out that you’re all poets and we didn’t even know it. We received several creative, intriguing, and beautiful poems that we narrowed down to our top three finalists. You voted for your favorite.

Congratulations to Ivelina K., whose poem “Pexels and the Burg” came out on top with 40% of the vote. Here it is:

“Pexels is a rock on the 255 Beach Dr. boardwalk. Her list of daily (not-at-all) fun: 1. Sunrise up 2. Watch the tides scoop and down 3. Storm 4. See a bird boy band 5. Sunset But the waterfront is a sound bath after five p.m. An Americana of apartment tower Kilowatts and wine bars full of dress pants eating tapas. Southern comfort looped in a beach tree canopy calling out this small buccaneer.”

Read the other finalists' work

The Buy

A women’s pastel, oversized button-down — because you can’t go wrong in it for spring. Bonus: This one’s 100% cotton.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Patrick

From the editor

At this time of year, there are only two words that matter: Go Bolts.

Our boys need us. I’ll be in downtown tomorrow night to cheer them on.

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