02.21.2025

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Today’s Forecast

Chow down, race, or root on the Rays

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Ready to collect some bling? | Photo by @MaxwellMedals

The cold snap arrived just in time for an entire weekend of outdoor festivals, games, and runs — gotta love Florida in February.

Take a look at what’s on tap across Tampa Bay this weekend:

Spring Training games

It’s the start of Spring Training, and we’re proud to be the home of the Grapefruit League. Watch as the Rays kick off the preseason against the Yankees at their new temporary home.

Gasparilla Distance Classic

It’s the best time of the year for running in Florida. Celebrate by trekking down Bayshore in the Classic’s 15K, 5K, half marathon, or 8K.

Tampa Taco Fest

Head to Al Lopez Park to taste test tacos from top local taqueros, take in live music, and pay a visit to the margarita bar.

St. Petersburg Seafood & Music Festival

What’s more Tampa Bay than chowing down on fresh seafood and vegetarian dishes on the waterfront? That’s a rhetorical question.

Localtopia: “A Community Celebration of All Things Local”

Celebrate the businesses, eateries, and people that call the Sunshine City home at this popular street festival featuring 300+ vendors and groups.

Even more deets

Asked

What’s your favorite weekend activity?

A. Festivals
B. Games
C. Yoga classes and runs
D. Films and culture

Take your pick

Events

Friday, Feb. 21

Vertical Oyster Gardens and Oysters 101 | 10-11 a.m. | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, St. Petersburg | Free | Learn about oyster ecology, their role in marine ecosystems, restoration methods, and Weedon Island’s vertical oyster garden check-out station.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival | Friday, Feb. 21-Sunday, May 18 | Times vary | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Free with admission | Sip and savor your way throughout the theme park sampling flavorful eats and treats, riding attractions, and enjoying live music.

Sundance Institute Indigenous Film Tour | Friday, Feb. 21-Saturday, Feb. 22 | Times vary | The James Museum | $10+ | Sit back for eight short films from Indigenous filmmakers screened at the world-renowned Sundance Film Festival.

“Lil Weezyana” | 8 p.m. | Amalie Arena | $124+ | Let the “Best Rapper Alive” and The Hot Boys take you on a musical trip to “Lil Weezyana.”

Saturday, Feb. 22

Sunday, Feb. 23

There's plenty more to do

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

Hillsborough County Commissioners just approved an additional $17.8 million for the South Hillsborough pipeline project. The 26-mile pipeline will funnel 65 million gallons of water per day to southern Hillsborough County. Work on the $505.7 million project may start this fall. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Number

The Pinellas County visitors bureau approved $24.8 million for five local projects. What’s on the list? Requests for funding from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater Beach Municipal Marina, Palladium Theater, Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex, and The Morean Arts Center and Chihuly Collection ranked highly among applicants. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Development

St. Pete Development Review Commission approved new plans for a Mirror Lake Tower. Gravel Road Partners plans to build a 23-story, a 218-unit apartment tower with ~11,000 sqft of retail space, a 274-space parking garage, a public plaza with art installations, and a shaded area. (St. Pete Rising)

Opening

St. Pete runs on beans. Owners of St. Pete Running Co. store are opening a new venture near Crescent Lake — and this store will offer coffee. Runners can shop for sneaks, sunglasses, socks, and grab a java boost from the espresso bar. (I love the Burg)

Sports

Now, you can stream Lightning and Rays games on Amazon via FanDuel Sports Network Sun. How much is it? The add-on subscription is $19.99 a month, but you must have an Amazon Prime subscription. (Tampa Bay Times)

Drink

Spirits sales are down by 1.1% — with one exception. Tequila sales are up by 2.9%. As good an excuse as any for National Margarita Day today (and our favorite happy hour spots).

Job

Dream jobs alert. Check out this week’s top new job listings on TBAYtoday’s Job Board — including a Payroll Specialist at OMS Group Inc.

Eat

Are you heading to Chick-Fil-A this weekend? You’re not alone. The restaurant is the top-rated fast food chain in Florida. Just don’t forget to show our local chicken spots some love, too — we recommend Kings Fried Chicken. (Brilliantmaps.com)

Pet

French Bulldogs are the most popular breed of dog in America, according to Visual Capitalist. Whether you’re a Frenchie fan or a Labrador lover, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay has plenty of adoptable pets worth your affection — including Ronnie, a eight-year-old terrier mix that needs some love to come out of his shell.

Sports

Which free agents should the Bucs spend money on? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Community

Your TBAYtoday team here. We care about Tampa Bay. We also care about the people in it. That’s why every day, we bring you positive, impactful news about our city — skipping the political talk, crime coverage, and biased reporting. Support our approach to local news with a one-time donation.

City Guide

I-do worthy venues

The Don CeSar offers scenic terraces with a view of the coast — and a backdrop of the iconic pink hotel. | Photo by TBAYtoday

Whether you’re getting a jump start on your holiday party planning or preparing for an upcoming wedding reception or family reunion, check out this list of rentable venues in Tampa Bay.

Larger venues

Tampa Garden Club, 2629 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa

Rate: Pricing available on request
Accommodates up to 240 people
Indoor main ballroom, plus outdoor space
Key features: More than three acres of lawns and gardens, ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows facing Hillsborough Bay, conservatory

Tampa River Center, Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 402 W. Laurel St., Tampa

Rate: $2,450+
Accommodates up to 500 guests on the dock and 200 for seated dinner
2,880-sqft event room space + outdoor space
Key features: Riverfront views, indoor and outdoor space, Chiavari chairs, floor-to-ceiling windows

Centro Asturiano de Tampa, 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa

Rate: Pricing available on request
Accommodates up to 1,000
Multiple spaces
Key features: Grand ballroom, theater, Onyx bar, cigar lounge, cantina, located in Downtown Ybor City

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

10+ more ideas

The Buy

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The Wrap

There’s a surprise in store for you in Monday’s newsletter. A hint: He hails from the Sceptered Isle.

I’m off to to the DMV to visit my little brother and fulfill my older sister duties. I.e. forcing him to try basic foods and visit the botanic garden. I hope you have a lovely, chilly-ish weekend, TBAY.

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