02.28.2025

From our friends at

Today’s Forecast

From our team

Graphic by 6AM City

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Bring on the weekend

Are you ready to cheer your heart out? | Photo via Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding

We’re off to the races — the actual races, as well as racing everyone to the chocolate strawberry shortcake milkshakes. If you’re looking for something to do this weekend across Tampa Bay, we’ve got you covered:

2025 Florida Strawberry Festival

They call it Plant City for a reason — just kidding. But the city is known for its massive annual celebration of all things strawberry. This year’s festival runs through Sunday, March 9 and includes performances by artists like Reba and Nelly, 80+ rides and games, youth livestock shows, and of course, tons of strawberry treats.

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

You don’t have to fly to Indianapolis (Hey, INDYtoday) or Monaco to catch a high-octane chase. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg returns to the Burg’s waterfront today. Stop by for IndyCar Series races, food truck eats, and lots of people watching.

Gasparilla Festival of the Arts

Up-and-coming and renowned artists vie for $100,000 in prize money while you compete for the best finds at this outdoor arts fair. Venture over to Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park to check out 250+ artists, live music acts, and vendors.

Events

Friday, Feb. 28

Spring Training: Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies | 1:05 p.m. | BayCare Ballpark, Clearwater | $28+ | Sit back and watch the Northeast showdown in the Florida sun over some hot dogs and maybe a beer or two.

The Space Between | 6-9 p.m. | Via Corazon, Tampa | $35 | Sip on a cocktail while jamming out to a tribute to Tampa’s jazz history from BK Jackson and Bianca Fitzpatrick.

Justin Willman: “Illusionati Tour” | 7 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | $43+ | Chuckle at the hand of the star and creator of the hit Netflix series “Magic For Humans” and “The Magic Prank Show with Justin Willman.”

A Gala Concert with Yo-Yo Ma | 8 p.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall | $75 | Spend the night watching the 19-time Grammy Award winner perform Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in this one-night-only special event, conducted by Music Director Michael Francis.

Saturday, March 1

Full Body Workout with MMFitness | 9-9:45 a.m. | Armature Works | Free | Kick off the weekend with a high-energy workout using body weight movements, kettlebells, resistance bands, and Plyo ladders facing the Hillsborough River.

42nd Florida Antiquarian Book Fair | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Coliseum | $1+ | Hunt for the rare books, maps, prints, post cards, ephemera, autographs, and other paper collectibles of your dreams at this massive fair.

Florida Craft Brewers Festival | 1-5 p.m. | River Tower Park | $22+ | It’s the biggest beer festival in Tampa Bay, featuring 70+ Florida breweries, 200+ different beer samples, food trucks, and tunes from a local DJ.

Sunday, March 2

19th Annual Taste of South Tampa presented by Older Lundy Koch & Martino | 1-4 p.m. | Tampa Garden Club | $50 | Sample eats from local restaurants, enjoy a beer garden, and try to win prizes at the annual event.

Lisa Unger | 3:30-5 p.m. | Oxford Exchange | $30 | Celebrate the release of the New York Times bestselling author’s latest novel, “Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten.”

There's plenty more to do

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News Notes

Real Estate

What’s going up in the Channel District? McKibbon Hospitality — a company that develops and manages hotels — just paid $9.3 million for a 0.74-acre vacant lot on North Meridian Avenue. Owners haven’t announced plans for the site, but it is zoned for a 13-story hotel. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Development

More affordable housing is on the way to the V.M. Ybor neighborhood. Tampa leaders + The Barrio Latino Commission just approved a new development that will add 20 residential units to the area. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Number

$3 million. That’s how much the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners just allocated for two major Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside projects. The organization plans to build 80+ homes in Lealman and Clearwater, with both single-family and townhome options. (St. Pete Rising)

Eat

Gogos Greek Grill just opened its doors in South Tampa. Stop by for gyros, kebabs, platters packed with beef, falafel, lamb, or chicken, rice bowls, salads, and baklava. (That’s So Tampa)

Opening

A place where everyone knows your name. Neighborhood Wine Shop opens this April in St. Pete’s Grand Central District. The cozy spot will serve a range of artisanal and natural wines and sake on the ground floor of the Driftwood on Central townhome community. (St. Pete Rising)

Film

We love a mystery around here. Some eagle-eyed Tampa residents might have spotted assault rifles, a car explosion and police helicopters downtown this month. Could the display be part of the filming for “Grand Theft Auto VI”? The Tampa Bay Times investigates. (Tampa Bay Times)

Holiday

What are you doing to observe Ramadan, TBAY? Let us know so we can add it to our calendar.

Festival

Tickets to the second Fyre Festival, “Fyre 2,” went on sale earlier this week. According to the website, a $1,400+ ticket will get you access to a currently unannounced lineup of musical artists + activities like extreme sports and wellness events — or, you could play it safe and just grab tickets to Country Thunder Florida.

The Word

Telephobia. It’s a word to describe the fear some people — primarily Generation Z — have of making or getting phone calls. If your friend would prefer the written word over a call, send them this newsletter as a subtle message that you’d like to hang out this weekend. (CNBC)

Closing

In case you missed it, Joann Fabrics is closing all of its stores — including its Tampa Bay locations. After shopping the Joann discounts, you can find us hitting up local fabric stores like Keep Me In Stitches. (Fast Company)

Drink

Starbucks will cut 13 drinks from its offerings next week, with plans to shrink its menu by 30% by September. If you were faithful to the Chocolate Cookie Crumble Crème Frappuccino (say that five times fast), find your fix at a local coffee shop instead. (Business Insider)

Sports

The Bucs won’t exercise their option on safety Jordan Whitehead, allowing him to become a free agent. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Number

$2,101. That’s the record-breaking price that car insurance premiums are projected to reach in 2025. Read: It’s more important than ever to make sure you’re not overpaying. Review Money’s best car insurance list to see if you could save (maybe up to $1,300 a year).*

City Guide

Put these shows on your radar

A concert venue with seats lined in a row and to the side of a stage with blue and purple spotlights.

Imagine: you’re taking in John Legend at the Seminole Hard Rock Event Center. | Photo via Seminole Hard Rock

Call us the live music capital of the world. We won’t stop you.

No matter your favorite genre, there’s a concert bound to hit the right note. Check out 45+ must-see musicians, bands, and singers set to take the stage in Tampa Bay this year.

March

Bright Eyes | March 2 | Jannus Live
Role Model | March 5 | Ritz Ybor
Dropkick Murphys: “St. Patrick’s Day 2025 Tour” | March 8 | BayCare Sound
Diana Ross | March 16 | BayCare Sound

April

Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit | April 10 | Ruth Eckerd Hall
Carin León | April 10 | Amalie Arena
Chicago | April 11 | BayCare Sound
Mayday Parade | April 22 | Jannus Live

May

Remi Wolf | May 1 | BayCare Sound
Country Thunder Festival 2025 | May 2-4 | Raymond James Stadium
Billy Idol: “It’s A Nice Day To...Tour Again!” | May 10 | MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Halsey: “For My Last Trick” | May 24 | MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sam Hunt | May 30 | Hard Rock Event Center

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

Even more shows

The Buy

An at-home golf simulator. Get back in the game before golf season starts with $100 off a Phigolf Home Golf Game Simulator, which comes with a sensor that can fit into your own clubs and 38,000+ GPS-mapped golf courses to play. Fun fact: It was successfully funded on Kickstarter.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Earlier this week, I asked for your favorite music venues, and some clear favorites emerged. Ruth Eckerd Hall scored a solid ~46% of the vote, Jannus Live ~22%, and Amalie Arena 13%.

Another, ~11% of people said their fave wasn’t listed and ~9% said they’re MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre devotees.

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