02.04.2025

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80º | 10% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:14 a.m. | Sunset 6:13 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 7:46 a.m. + 6:46 p.m. | Low: 12:16 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 3:17 p.m. | Low: 8:56 a.m. + 10:59 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

Pull out those beads, TBAY

People ride on the Krewe of Ybor float that's decked out with flags and fake bricks in the Knight Parade.

Tons of local krewes participate in the yearly tradition. | Photo by The Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago

And the Tampa traditions continue. This Saturday, Feb 8, is The Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade.

For those who haven’t been...yet: Every year, 100+ krewes and community groups sail down the brick street on floats decked out with lights. It’s a celebration of the neighborhood’s long Latin heritage and civic pride.

Need-to-know details

This year’s grand marshal is Steve Wilkos, host of “The Steve Wilkos Show.”
Start celebrating early at The Official Knight Parade Pre-Party 2025 on Friday, Feb. 7. Merrymakers will take over Carmine’s from 7 to 11 p.m.
The parade starts at about 7 p.m. and runs down Seventh Avenue.

Make a night of it

Make that dinner resy now, instead of dealing with a long wait time day of. We recommend Barterhouse Ybor for their Ybor Pastelitos, grits and scallops, and “1940’s libations with a twist.”
Cap off the night with a scoop of King Cake or Tampa Banana at Chill Bros. Or, if you prefer a different kind of buzz, head to Hotel Haya’s Flor Fina for a cocktail and tunes from DJ Nilla Green.

Even more tips

Asked

When did the first Cuban cigar makers move to Ybor City?

A. The 1850s
B. The early 1900s
C. The 1920s
D. The late 1880s

Take your pick

Events

Tuesday, Feb. 4

State of the City 2025 | 10 a.m. | Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg | Free | St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch shares about the city’s milestone moments in 2024 and goals for 2025.

Workshop: Afro-Surrealist Collage | 6-8 p.m. | The Dalí Museum | $30+ | Take in a presentation from the Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project, then use Afro-Surrealism to create a collage that reflects personal and collective experiences.

Wednesday, Feb. 5

Joseph Finder | 6:30-8 p.m. | Oxford Exchange | $30 | Spend a cozy night in at the bookstore hearing about the author’s latest spy novel, “The Oligarch’s Daughter,” following a man on the run in a New England town.

Thursday, Feb. 6

Cracker Country | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Florida State Fairgrounds | $7+ | Immerse yourself in the life of a 19th century Florida pioneer by making candles and checking out buildings as they were in rural Florida.

“Under the Spell of the Palm Tree: The Rice Collection of Cuban Art” | 5 p.m. | Tampa Museum of Art | $35+ | Celebrate the opening of the museum’s newest exhibit with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and a panel discussion with several Cuban artists.

“Dracula” Cocktail Experience | Thursday, Feb. 6-Saturday, Feb. 8 | 6-11:30 p.m. | Coastal Creative, St. Petersburg | $48+ | Embrace a night of gothic decadence with a live performance of Bram Stoker’s wicked tale and craft inspired cocktails.

Friday, Feb. 7

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Shop

We’re still laughing at these 5 Super Bowl Sunday shirts

Presented by The Buy

A model wears an "I just hope both teams have fun" sweatshirt.

Go, team. | Graphic via 6AM City + the Handmade Store

It’s almost Super Bowl Sunday. If you’re not wearing your favorite team’s merch, shop five comfy tees + sweatshirts that say “I’m just here for the snacks” ... literally.

“I Just Hope Both Teams Have Fun” sweatshirt — Everyone’s a winner in your eyes.
“Yay go sports!” tee — No one can accuse you of lacking pep in this comfy tee.
“Puppy Bowl Sunday” sweatshirt — You’re rooting for the best team: Team Puppy.
“I’m Just Here For The Snacks” tee — Choose your favorite color + get ready to munch.
“Buffalo dip/me” tee — Show them your game plan for hogging the buffalo dip all night.

Or, rock this best-selling sweatsuit

News Notes

Civic

Hillsborough voters approved the Community Investment Tax. Now what? Over the next 15 years, the money will go toward projects like easing traffic on Lithia’s Pinecrest Road, a community center, fire stations, new firefighting vehicles and equipment, a new pet shelter, and schools. (Tampa Bay Times)

Announced

Delta Air Lines will anchor Tampa International’s new Airside D. Yes, that means we’re getting a Delta lounge. The airline will also operate a minimum of six gates in the new expansion, which is projected to open in 2028. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Coming Soon

Last week, we shared that Pete’s is close to opening its drive-thru location soon. Now, the team is sharing plans for Seymour’s, a new downtown St. Pete spot serving bagels, coffee, and lunch. The eatery will open in the Snell Arcade building in April. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Open

You might’ve seen this spot on TikTok or Instagram. Bean Wandering, a new local coffee spot serving canned lattes and coffees — they make and can it in front of you — just opened on the ground floor of the Burg’s Northern Trust Building. Take a peek. (I Love the Burg)

Listen

Right after accepting her first gramophone trophy, Doechii dropped a new celebratory hit: “Nosebleeds.” The track details the rapper’s rise from Blake High School and the swamp to the top of the charts, with lines like: “Thank you to my swamp, but thank you god I was broke.” TW: Explicit language.

Show

Speaking of the Grammys, there’s tons of award winners coming to TBAY in 2025. So far, this year’s lineup includes past winners like Billy Strings, CeCe Winans, Ringo Starr, and Lainey Wilson. They didn’t pick up an award this year, but Grammy-nominated Khruangbin are playing in Clearwater this spring. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Sports

Check out the Lightning’s upcoming schedule. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Number

3.5 million. That’s how many Americans subscribe to 1440 — a daily digest for unbiased national news on business, politics, culture, and more. Subscribe for free.*

The Buy

Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling water bottle — the Owala FreeSip. It’s a top seller for good reason: Owala has perfected a spout design that allows you to either sip upright through a built-in straw or tilt back to swig a gulp. It’s actually patented.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Over the weekend, I took my own suggestions and went to Bungalow Fest, Bandit’s ninth birthday party, and Raptor Fest. And I left with some new inspiration.

I played a lovely round of “Name That Bird” with the folks at St. Pete Audubon Society, and left with the itch to learn more about our local feathered friends. Join me on my quest, and check out one of their upcoming events.

Answered

Yesterday, we asked “Which TBAY-born singer would you like to see perform at the Super Bowl?”

Doechii puts her hands on her chest as she reacts to winning her first Grammy as onlookers clap. — Doechii reacts after winning Best Rap Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammys.

The strong majority — 79% — of our readers are rooting for our now Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii to make her Super Bowl debut. Us too. Until then, we’ll have her Tiny Desk performance on repeat.

About 14% of people would like to see “Pitch Perfect” star Brittany Snow “Riff Off” on the Super Bowl stage. She’d win.

And finally, ~7% of readers want Tampa-raised rapper Khia to take the stage for “My Neck, My Back.” Now, that would be iconic.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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