04.02.2025

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93º | 20% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:18 a.m. | Sunset 7:48 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 5:28 p.m. |

Clearwater Beach | High: 2:12 p.m. | Low: 8:04 a.m. + 10:13 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

TBAY is the belle of the (basket) ball

Are you ready to pack Amalie? | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Tampa Bay might not have a stake in this weekend’s NCAA March Madness action, but we are home to all of the women’s Final Four festivities.

And the action kicks off today. We’re sharing what’s going on — beyond the games:

Women’s Final Four Tourney Town presented by Capital One

Head to the Tampa Convention Center starting today for a slew of appearances, games, giveaways, historical and Women’s Final Four team displays, photo ops, basketball contests, local eats, and to shop the gear.

Beyond the Baseline

Yes, this panel goes beyond the game. Stop in for panels like “Team Tampa Bay’s Front Office, “Mentorship vs. Sponsorship,” “ESPN’s Full Court Press,” and “From College Courts to Paralympic Podiums: Insights from Team USA’s Wheelchair Basketball Athletes.”

Party on the Plaza presented by Buick

Name a more fitting place to party than Water Street Tampa? Head to Cotanchobee Park for pre-game like no other, complete with food and drinks, tons of merch, games, and performances by Uptown Groove, Point 6, and The Fulcos.

Super Saturday Concert presented by AT&T

The Windy City may have Lollapalooza, but we’ve got the Super Saturday concert headlined by superstar rapper GloRilla. “Yeah Glo!”

Even more deets

Asked

Which event are you most amped for?

A. The concert, of course
B. It’s gotta be Tourney Town
C. Party on the Plaza for sure
D. The Beyond the Baseline panels

Don't pass on this one

Events

Wednesday, April 2

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | 1:10 p.m. | George M. Steinbrenner Field | $36+ | Watch the Rays take the field at their temporary Tampa home to face the Northeast team.

Houndmouth | 7 p.m. | Jannus Live | $29+ | You don’t have to head to “Sedona” to catch the alternative blues and rock band jam out.

“The Great Gatsby Ballet” | 7 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater | $65+ | Transport back to the Roaring Twenties as 40 professional dancers bring F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel to life.

Thursday, April 3

Friday, April 4

Florida Forests Hike | 9:30-11 a.m. | Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, Tarpon Springs | Free | Trek out on the Flatwoods Trail loop with a natural resources agent to learn all about the Sunshine City’s trees.

Saturday, April 5

45th Annual Wonder Walk-Run | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hyde Park UMC | $0-$40 | Walk or run down Bayshore in support of early learning and summer scholarships for 0-12-year-old kids.

Bloom at BSP | Saturday, April 5-Sunday, April 6 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, Lakeland | Free | This free first-annual, weekend-long flower festival features music in the gardens, festive cocktails and eats, free gardening workshops and tours, take-home plant cuttings, a makers’ market and more.*

Soulfest 2025 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Tropicana Field Lot 1 | $0-$35 | Head to the massive block party celebrating the Burg’s cultural, musical, and artistic scene with performances, vendors, and local eats — VIP tickets include mimosas + seats close to the action.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Sports

Well, the $1.3 billion St. Pete Rays stadium deal is officially done — as the Rays didn’t send in any last minute contract requirements by the Monday, March 31 deadline. Now, the team could move to another city, though MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says he supports keeping the Rays in TBAY. (Tampa Bay Times)

Development

Asana Partners just bought a North Dale Mabry Highway shopping complex for $36 million. The Charlotte-based developer also owns other local retail and residential properties. The group hasn’t announced new plans for the Carrollwood site. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Open

Welcome back to the Pink Palace. The Don CeSar just reopened after six months of repairs and renovations post hurricanes. The resort plans to open its newly designed ballroom and eateries like Society Table and The Rowe Bar at a later date. (I Love the Burg)

Eat

Pepe’s Cantina starts serving tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, burgers, cocktails, and brunch in Kenwood next week. It’s the latest location for the Florida-based Mexican grill chain. The eatery opens on Monday, April 7. Check out the menu. (I Love the Burg)

Number

$10 million. That’s how much St. Pete expects to bring in development credits from its new 179-acre Seagrass Mitigation Bank project. City leaders just approved an additional ~$178,000 for the financially lucrative seagrass conservation area that runs along the downtown waterfront. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Outdoors

Fort De Soto is home to some new residents. After Hurricane Helene passed, the Tierre Verde park’s manager discovered some Gopher tortoises floating along the shallow waves. The turtles — which don’t swim — were carried to the park from Egmont Key, which is more than two miles from the park. (Tampa Bay Times)

Sports

What have the Falcons done to improve the team and overtake the Bucs for first place in the NFC South? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Try This

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Category (Earned)

The Buy

Your favorite spring decor piece to add light and cheer into your living space:

🌷 Embrace spring colors with this pastel buffalo check table runner, or this earthy wildflower table runner.
🌷 These bestselling gold birds make great bookends or coffee table accessories.
🌷 This ceramic bunny cupcake stand is just waiting to hold treats and goodies.
🌷 Decorate front doors with an Easter egg wreath.
🌷 Treat kids to a bunny night light with a warm glow.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

It’s time to say goodbye to an old friend. The Wayward Goose, the Burg’s longtime watering hole, is serving its final pints on Sunday, April 20 after nearly a decade in business. I’ll definitely stop by for a final terrible round of pool.

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