02.14.2025

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Today’s Forecast

Street festivals and sports, anyone?

A person wearing a collard green costume dances along to a live drumming performance on a brightly-colored street.

Make sure you’re ready to dance. | Photo via @elanvitalvisuals

Alright, weekend warriors. It’s time to check out the top events across Tampa and St. Pete this weekend:

Orlando City Soccer Club vs. Inter Miami CF

Orlando City Soccer Club and Inter Miami CF faceoff tonight at Raymond James Stadium at 7:30 p.m. It’s one of the final preseason games before the MLS season begins next Saturday, Feb. 22. Best of all, it looks like legendary soccer star Lionel Messi will likely take the field, according to the Tampa Bay Sports Commission.

Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival

The annual festival takes over the street outside the Woodson African American Museum of Florida with dozens of vendors, a live concert, a book fair, collard green cookoff, mental health conversations, and even live workout classes.

Rays Fan Fest

Yes, DJ Kitty will be in attendance. This year’s annual fan fest takes over the St. Pete Pier due to the stadium’s hurricane damage. Come out tomorrow, Feb. 15 to get autographs from your favorite players, take a hands-on catch-and-release fishing workshop, shop the Bargain Beach section benefiting the Rays Baseball Foundation, and take a tiki boat ride with the Rays.

Asked

How important is shopping local to you?

A. Extremely important
B. It’s a consideration
C. Not that important

Cast your vote

Events

Friday, Feb. 14

Saturday, Feb. 15

St. Petersburg Beer Wine and Spirits Fest | 1-4:30 p.m. | Williams Park | $15+ | Sip on beer, wine, and spirit at the outdoor park, plus live entertainment, food, and interactive games.

Sunday, Feb. 16

The Market: Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Market | Sunday, Feb. 16 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Water Street Tampa | Free entry | Celebrate love at this monthly market featuring vendors like Steamy Lit, Hampton Chocolate Factory, and Posie’s Flower Truck.

Tampa Bay Bridal Show | 12-4 p.m. | Coliseum, St. Petersburg | $5 | Whether you’ve got a wedding date to prep for or just want inspo, roam tons of local vendors at this love-filled expo.

Nancy Johnson | 3:30-5 p.m. | Oxford Exchange | $5+ | Sarah Penner interviews the bestselling author about her latest book, “People of Means,” which follows a mother and daughter during moments of social reckoning.

Saturday, Feb. 22

Caribbean Carnival! BSP | 5-9 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, Lakeland | Free | Caribbean Carnival BSP returns on Saturday, Feb. 22 with a family-free evening including a Black & Caribbean-owned market, food vendors, and kids’ activities.*

There's plenty more to do

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Community

Duke Energy is warning customers their January energy bills may be higher than normal due to the frosty temps. Residents used 187% more energy on heat in January than they did in December, according to the utility. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Sports

Another win for Champa Bay. Tampa’s United Soccer League will debut a Division One men’s professional league in 2027. Headquartered in Tampa Bay, the organization plans to bring soccer to new cities and add more jobs. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Closing

Four Joann stores are closing around Tampa Bay. The move is part of the brand’s bankruptcy restructuring plan to close 500 stores across the country. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Show

We’re holding space for this news. “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo is performing with The Florida Orchestra this spring. The star plays the Mahaffey Theater on May 2 and Ruth Eckerd Hall on May 3. Tickets to see the British singer perform hits by female singers go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 19. (WTSP)

Eat

Planning a wedding? You’re in luck — Taco Bell recently launched a $777 Vegas-themed wedding package featuring all the bells and whistles, like an Elvis impersonator and a Taco Bell hot sauce bouquet. For those who don’t see the vision, we’ve got a guide to local venues. (People)

Film

Are you watching “Meet Me in Rome” this weekend? According to recent data from Roku, it’s the most popular romance movie in FL. “Moonstruck” tops the chart as the most popular romance film in two different states. (Axios)

Tech

A new app called WikiTok allows users to scroll through Wikipedia articles without end. Of course, our Instagram page is basically the local equivalent; just scroll through our Reels to learn new things about Tampa Bay every day. (Ars Technica)

Ranked

Florida was recently ranked the No. 5 best state for a fresh start by realty group View Homes. The ranking looked at factors like crime rates, quality of life, and social connectivity. If you’re making a fresh start in TBAY, check out our Tampa Bay 101 guide.

Sports

If the Bucs don’t trade for Germaine Pratt, who are some free agent options for the Bucs at linebacker? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Health

Feel like your vision benefits are leaving you in the dark? Brighten things up with VSP® Individual Vision Plans, starting as low as $13 a month.*

City Guide

💌 Better than a love letter

An iced coffee on a table in Hyde Park Village. The clear container is full of light brown liquid, and the drink is close to the camera on a wooden table. A blurry fountain is in the background, with water spraying down. Trees are visible, and a gap through the trees shows a mostly blue sky with a few clouds.

Nothing beats an iced coffee and a stroll around Hyde Park Village. | Photo by TBAYtoday

For richer or pour over, Tampa Bay’s coffee shops are what keep us going in the morning. Tampa ranks among the top coffee cities in America thanks to factors like cafes per capita and the price of beans.

The Big Guava and the Burg have no shortage of masterful baristas, aromatic roasts, and foamy lattes. But if you’re having trouble deciding on a spot, gather some brews clues with our guide to some of the best coffee shops in Tampa Bay.

Perfect for a date

Patrona Coastal Cafe, 13090 Gandy Blvd. N., St. Petersburg | Tucked away off the Gandy Bridge, this dreamy cafe is set right on the water + surrounded by exotic trees. It’s a magical spot to sip lattes and spot manatees or watch the sun dip into the Bay with your love.

Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | It’s a Tampa classic for a reason. The Old World-esque spot boasts classic checkered floors + tons of seating vignettes so you can get lost in conversation over a cold brew flight.

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

10+ more spots

The Buy

It’s Valentine’s Day and Friday… a combo that won’t happen again for another six years. Why not treat yourself for the occasion? We’ve got five picks we think you’ll love.

💸 Under $15 — this No. 1 best-selling Elf lip oil.
💸 Under $25 — magnesium-infused bath soak to soothe tired muscles.
💸 Under $50 — a plush bath robe you’ll never want to take off.
💸 Under $100 — this timeless Fossil watch with some understated bling.
💸 Splurge — an elegant Vera Wang velvet quilt set.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

I want to make it known that love letters are actually better than coffee. Don’t get it twisted.

Make sure to let your people know you love them today, whether it’s with a sweet note, tickets for a future shared experience, or some quality time outside.

Answered

Yesterday, we asked “What’s 2025’s newest food trend?”

pickles from alie rae's pimento cheese in asheville nc — Bring on the pickles.

Only ~38% of folks correctly guessed pickle mania. Don’t be a sour pickle.

Another ~32% of you suggested dirty sodas. Have you heard the news about Swig?

Some of you, ~ 21%, guessed oysters. You were definitely on the right briny track. And finally, a slim 9% of folks suggested nature’s cereal — berries, chilled coconut water, and ice enjoyed in a traditional cereal bowl.

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