01.17.2025

From our friends at

Today’s Forecast

Fire the cannons and start the engines

The Jose Gasparilla pirate ship floats in Downtown Tampa. | Photo by Jerry Glaser, Wikimedia Commons

It’s shaping up to be a packed weekend here in Tampa Bay, from MLK events to a boatload of shows — both maritime and of the theater variety.

Let’s take a peek at the lineup:

MLK Dream Big Weekend

Today marks the start of MLK Dream Big Weekend. The 38th annual St. Pete festival honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Children’s Gasparilla Parade

In case you missed yesterday’s newsletter — and all the barricades and bleachers going up on Bayshore — the Children’s Gasparilla Parade is tomorrow. It’s more than just a parade, with two airtime invasions, a bicycle rodeo, a preschooler’s stroll, and fireworks.

The St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show

Head to the Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park to feast your eyes on hundreds of schooners, from powerboats to sailboats, and a 40,000-sqft tent packed with tons of marine toys.

Check out the deets

Asked

What’s the largest annual parade in Tampa Bay?

A. Tampa Pride Diversity Parade
B. MLK Dream Big Parade
C. Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
D. Gasparilla Parade of Pirates

Take a guess

Events

Friday, Jan. 17

Jazz & Martinis | 6-10 p.m. | Floridian Social Club, St. Petersburg | $10 | Sip on a martini or two while classic black-and-white films, “Roman Holiday” and “Casablanca” play in the background.

Arts Legacy REMIX: Seventh Annual MLK, Jr. Commemoration | 7:30 p.m. | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts | Free with reservation | Spend your Friday night taking in gospel music, the powerful writings of Dr. King, and young voices sharing their hopes and vision for 2025.

“The Cher Show” | Friday, Jan. 17-Sunday, Jan. 19 | Times vary | Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa | $51 | Now’s your chance to take in the Tony Award-winning musical of the legendary performer’s story, played by three women.

Saturday, Jan. 18

Sunday, Jan. 19

There's plenty more to do

Click here to have your event featured.

Food

Explore Central Florida’s best BBQ

Presented by Visit Central Florida

What’s your favorite kind of BBQ? We’re dreaming about these ribs. | Photo provided by Vist Central Florida, via Emily Mort.

In 2025, we’ve resolved to eat more BBQ.

If you’re ready to risk it for the brisket with us, head to the 28th Annual Lakeland Pigfest on Friday, Jan. 24 + Saturday, Jan. 25 at the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus.

Here are the sweet + spicy details:

Admission is $5 (free for kids 12 and under)
Exchange cash for Pig Bucks to purchase food from 150+ vendors
Enjoy live music and family-friendly activities

Bonus: Ticket sales and purchases support local non-profit organizations and charities.

More BBQ this way

News Notes

Development

Welcome to Sky Town. Pinellas County Commission just earmarked $5.5 million for the first phase of a new housing project in the Skyway Marina District. Part of a massive mixed-use development, the apartment tower will house 401 apartments, with 121 affordable units. (St. Pete Rising)

Opening

Bring on the Cuban sandwiches. Owners of Box of Cubans, which was named Yelp’s best restaurant in Tampa Bay in 2023, just opened up a new location in Wesley Chapel. And your fave Cuban sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, and Cuban bowls are all on the menu. (That’s So Tampa)

Closed

Squeeze is shutting its doors after 12 years of slinging juice and smoothies. The final TBAY location — in the Five Points neighborhood — will serve its final blends on Monday, Jan. 20. Owners plan to open a clinic named Being, serving chronically ill people in the space. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Community

Make your weekend bacon, egg, and cheese sammie count. Tampa’s Supernatural Food & Wine is donating 1.5% of its sales to Sorella Collective through Saturday, Feb. 1. The grassroots group is supporting California wildfire relief efforts like getting meals to evacuees and first responders. (That’s So Tampa)

Try This

And you get a tree. And you get a tree. Duke Energy Florida is giving out free one-gallon trees, shipped right to your house in honor of Arbor Day. Apply online starting at today at 9 a.m.. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Travel

Valentine’s Day getaway, anyone? According to Expedia, January and February are two of the cheapest months to travel — you can spend 15% less on flights and 45% less on hotel rooms compared to summer rates. Perhaps now is a good time to plan that road trip to Miami. (New York Times)

Finance

It’s not fun, but the IRS will start processing 2024 tax returns on Monday, Jan. 27. Tax season might be nothing new, but the IRS has new chatbot tech to help answer your basic questions. Starting in February, you can also get free tax assistance through VITA.

Number

30 years old. That’s the average age of newlyweds in Florida. If you’re tying the knot (or want to throw one heck of a party), we have some venues in mind. (Axios)

Listen

What’s the best song about Florida? If you said John Anderson’s “Seminole Wind,” you agree with this list of “Best Songs About Every State.” Got a better suggestion? Let us know.

Sports

Can the Lightning keep their playoff spot? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Shop

Upgrade your home printing with the HP Smart Tank 7602, featuring wireless setup, fast printing speeds, and two years of ink included. Get $120 off for a limited time.*

Finance

When this card hit the market, it became the do-it-all card that took the top spot in thousands of peoples’ wallets. Perks include a significant first-year bonus, up to 5% cashback on everyday purchases, no annual fee, and 0% intro APR on purchases + balance transfers into 2026. Cha-ching.*

Live

💪 We’re getting strong this year

The interior of BODYROK. There are pilates machines and blueish purple lighting inside, with a mirror lining the wall.

Ready, set, sweat at BODYROK. | Photo by TBAYtoday

Exercising doesn’t look the same for everyone — what’s fun and muscle-building for one person may be a slog for someone else.

Fortunately, the Tampa Bay area is home to many opportunities for exercise, whether you enjoy lifting weights, a little cardio action, boxing, a full-body workout, or getting a sweat on alongside animal friends. Use this guide as a resource for all-things fitness in TBAY.

For those looking for flexibility + variety

BODYROK, 615 Channelside Dr., Ste. 108, Tampa

The Sparkman Wharf spot offers high-energy hybrid Pilates classes. An instructor leads the way, helping you achieve your fitness goals through the use of the gym’s innovative “BODYROK Reformer” machine. Pro tip: Bring grippy socks with you.

YMCA, Multiple locations

The Y has various spots across both Tampa and St. Pete. Centers offer varied fitness opportunities, including swim lessons, group exercise classes, youth sports + coaching, personal training, and other community programs. Pro tip: There’s a summer camp, too.

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

Even more spots to sweat

The Buy

A reading journal. Use it to write notes about the books you’re reading — like quotes that catch your eye, pages you want to come back to, and your overall rating. Pro tip: Use multicolor pens to make filling out your journal even more fun.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Steady yourself. We have some jarring news...It could snow in the next several days. Well, the chances are slim, but Denis Phillips says there’s a 6% chance we’ll see some flurries.

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