01.24.2025

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Today’s Forecast

Hit the streets

Children aboard a Gasparilla pirate ship float. They are throwing beads into the crowd, dressed like pirates.

Beads at the ready, landlubbers. | Photo via City of Tampa

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Tampa Bay: Gaspy season. But, never fear non-pirates, there’s a bounty of other fun to be had this weekend.

Let’s dive in:

Gasparilla

Thousands of swashbuckling pirates sloshing alcohol take over Bayshore Boulevard for the annual invasion and parade led by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. Expect 140+ floats, bands, and merry pirate groups.

St. Pete Tweed Ride and Party

Cyclists don a different kind of historical garb for this ride around scenic Mirror Lake. The 13th annual fundraiser for the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club brings together riders clad in tweed and other vintage duds for tea and scones, a joyous cycle, and an afterparty catered by Heavy’s at the historic shuffleboard club.

Sunshine Market

We love a good market around here. This monthly spread takes over the popular Midtown Tampa district with 50+ vendors selling an array of fresh produce, jewelry, handmade goods, local eats, and cocktails. Plus, you can finish off the day with a stop at spots like Sephora or REI, or Sunda New Asian.

Events

Friday, Jan. 24

“This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing” | Friday, Jan. 24-Friday, Feb. 7 | Times vary | American Stage Theatre Company at Raymond James Theater, St. Petersburg | $23 | Get whisked away by this modern fairytale following three abandoned sisters as they create their own destinies.

Rough Riders’ All-Krewe Pre-Invasion Party | 7-10 p.m. | Tampa Convention Center | $25 | Kickoff the Gaspy celebration by meeting the Krewes of Tampa pre-invasion, grabbing drinks, and dancing to DJ beats.

Saturday, Jan. 25

Gasparilla Family Day | 12-8 p.m. | Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen, Tampa | Free entry | Skip the downtown chaos and head to the brewery for music, face painting, balloon art, and more pirate-themed fun.

Whitted House Porch Party | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | 656 1st St. N., St. Petersburg | $20+ | Mingle with other design aficionados at this porch party at the historic, 1911 Craftsman, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival-style home.

Sunday, Jan. 26

Sunday Market at Westshore Marina District | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Westshore Marina District | Free entry | Shop for fresh veggies and fruits, handmade goods, and grab other local eats against the backdrop of the marina.

Custom Hats with Coastal Cowgirls Collective | Sunday, Jan. 26 | Times vary | Armature Works| $78 | Decorate your own trucker or baseball hat with patches, pins, and chains over mimosas.

“The Beat Goes On: Cher Tribute” | 1 p.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall | $31+ | Watch as 2023’s Tribute Artist of the Year rocks the house with renditions of hits like “I Got You Babe,” “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves,” and “If I Could Turn Back Time.”

There's plenty more to do

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News Notes

Announced

The City of St. Pete just told the Rays they aren’t obliged to fix the Trop before the 2026 season. City Administrator Rob Gerdes sent a letter to the team, saying there isn’t a deadline for repairs, only that the city “diligently pursue” the fixes. (Tampa Bay Times)

Development

Miami-based developer Related Group is set to present new plans for redeveloping a Bayshore property. The developer hopes to turn the land abutting Congregation Rodeph Sholom into a 16-story building with 38 condos. It’s the third proposal Related has filed for the development. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Try This

Welcome to “The Lost Weekend.” May Pang’s exhibit offers a behind-the-scenes look at rarely seen photos of John Lennon. Check out the collection, including a snap of him signing the Beatles’ dissolution papers, this weekend at Tempus Projects in Ybor City. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Sports

29% of single Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans would choose a Super Bowl win over finding true love, according to a recent study by Wetten that surveyed 2,000 single NFL fans. If you’re part of the 71% who prefers love over a big win, check out these local date ideas.

Eat

It’s National Soup Month. Whether you’re reaching for Progresso’s new Soup Drops — “soup you can suck on” — or a hearty local bowl, we hope you’re making the most of our favorite month.

Number

$17.99. That’s how much Netflix’s standard plan will cost per month after adjusting prices again in the US, Canada, Portugal, and Argentina — up from $15.49. Makes us wonder if that $20 popcorn bucket and ticket at a local theater are really all that bad… (The Verge)

History

The moon just landed a spot on the World Monuments Watch’s list of at-risk historical sites. Specifically, the remnants of early moon landings were identified as in need of preservation. See the global map of other watch sites.

Number

$50,000. That’s one of the bonuses Instagram is offering creators of short-form videos. We’re not doing it for the cash — we just want to keep you informed. (The Verge)

Sports

Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen returns to Tampa as the offensive coordinator this upcoming season. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Eat

Do you know who has the best BBQ in Central Florida? Find out at the 28th Annual Lakeland Pigfest this weekend where 150+ chefs compete in the first leg of the Florida Triple Crown of BBQ. Enjoy family-friendly activities, live music, and more.*

Travel

Skip expensive airline tickets + opt for a fun and affordable family road trip instead. With Outdoorsy, you can rent an RV for as little as $47 per night. Learn more.*

City Guide

Let us impress your date

Grab a cocktail, lemonade, and a romantic table for two on Pia’s Trattoria’s patio. | Photo by @thetbaytoday

Kids, this is the story of how I met your mother, and it was all thanks to TBAYtoday.

Ok, so maybe that’s not exactly how the 2000s sitcom went, but if Ted Mosby had consulted us for date night ideas, we could’ve shaved the show down to two seasons (and saved his kids a lot of time).

Regardless of whether you’ve met “the one” or are hoping to impress someone new, we’ve got 50+ local date night ideas that are legen — wait for it — dary.

If the way to their heart is through their stomach

Tuck into pistachio crusted cutlets and chicken rigatoni at the ever-cozy Oggi Italian on Davis Islands. Then, pretend you’re actually dining on the Amalfi Coast by grabbing a spritz from walk-up window, Buchette.
Try the Eggs In Purgatory or the Dutch Baby Pancake from The Market at EDITION.
Channel old-school Chicago vibes with a meal at Historic Kenwood’s Beau & Mo’s Italian Steakhouse.

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

Even more ideas

The Buy

The internet’s favorite lip balm: Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask, which quenches dry lips overnight like magic. Try Laneige’s partner product, the Lip Glowy Balm, for the same moisturizing benefits on-the-go throughout the day.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

It seems we have a strong pack of cyclists reading TBAYtoday, with about ~53% of our readers say they bike all the time. Hopefully you’re amped about the addition to the Green Spine Cyle Track.

About ~24% of folks say they ride a few times a month. And finally, another ~24% of people say biking isn’t really their thing. You’re in good company: City Editor Bailey is absolute trash at biking.

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