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December
January 2005
Outback Bowl
Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: 813/874-BOWL
Tampa kicks off the first bowl game on New Year's Day--The Outback
Bowl. The teams are matched from the Big Ten Conference and the
Southeastern Conference, for post-season college football competition.
The game is played at Raymond James Stadium and broadcast live by
ESPN. There's lots of action both on and off the field. Spectators can
participate in a variety of special events and sports activities prior
to the game. The Outback Bowl generates an estimated annual economic
impact of $30.2 million.
An agreement was reached in April 1995 with Outback Steakhouse to
become the title sponsor of the bowl until the year 2002, effectively
changing the name of the game from the Hall of Fame Bowl to the
Outback Bowl. This agreement was recently extended for another four
years.
The first Outback Steakhouse opened in Tampa, March 1988. Since the
opening, the Australian theme restaurant has experienced an explosion
of action. Ten years after its launch the restaurant from down under
has surfaced as one of the country's hottest restaurant concepts.
There are more than 700 Outback Restaurants to date in 48 states and
14 foreign countries.
Tampa Bay Black
Heritage Festival
Sunday, Jan. 9 – Monday, Jan. 17, 2005
Tampa, FL
Other Phone: 1-888-224-1733x43
At the Fifth Annual Black Heritage Festival, Tampa Bay will celebrate
its heart and soul and ethnic diversity with a series of different
performances and speakers in the heart of Tampa Bay.
The seven-day event will take over downtown with vendors selling art,
artifacts, collectibles, clothing, crafts, food and more. In addition,
multiple stages will be set up for live local and national
entertainment.
Street Festival -. The festival will include food and art vendors,
artists, authors, Gospel Choirs and other local gospel groups.
Additionally, the festival will feature several villages, including
one for children, history, health, artists, authors, USF and much,
much more. Stages will be provided for lectures and performances of
all types by local and national personalities and artists, including
poetry, dance, instrumental music, bands, etc. In conjunction with the
festival, Arnold Amusement, Inc. will provide carnival rides for the
entire family at a minimal cost.
Florida RV Supershow
Wednesday, Jan. 12 – Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005
4800 Highway 301 North
Tampa, FL 33610
Local Phone: 813-684-7882
Toll Free: 1-800-330-7882
The 20th Anniversary of the Florida RV SuperShow, features all brand
new 2005 RVs from the leading RV manufacturers in the country. This
has become the largest major consumer RV show in the country.
More than 1200 RVs are spread over the 319 acre site. Every building
and even the barns are used to house this enormous event. All
entertainment at the SuperShow is “roaming” style. The St. Andrews
Bagpipe Band, Fritzy Brothers One Man Circus, Blaze the Balloon
Blowing Goat, jugglers, clowns and magicians greet you at every turn.
It is now listed among the top 100 trade shows in North America by
Tradeshow Week Magazine. With the increased interest in the RV
Lifestyle, the 2005 SuperShow is expected to set new records for
attendance.
Visitors come from all over Florida, all 50 states and even foreign
countries. The timing for the SuperShow is a natural to take advantage
of the many visitors and RVers that make Florida their winter home.
The Florida RV SuperShow is the premier event on the schedule of the
Florida RV Trade Association’s (FRVTA) educational calendar. Seminars
for both experienced RVers and “First Timers” make this the perfect
show to find out if the RV Lifestyle is right for you.
The Gasparilla
“Piratechnic” Extravaganza & Children's Parade
Saturday, Jan. 22, 2005
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: (813) 353-8108
In preparation of the Gasparilla Centennial celebration in 2004, a new
element was added to the Gasparilla Celebration in Tampa in 2002 … The
Gasparilla “Piratechnic” Extravaganza! This alcohol-free, family event
is held annually on the Saturday before the Invasion and Parade, and
features the Children's Gasparilla Parade and one of the largest
fireworks presentations in the country!
The Children’s Gasparilla Parade has been a part of Tampa’s Gasparilla
celebration since 1947. The Children’s Gasparilla Parade (produced by
the City of Tampa’s Recreation Department prior to 2002) takes place
along beautiful Bayshore Boulevard and utilizes part of the same route
as the Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates.
Jose Gaspar's legend continues to grow as we re-create the fictitious,
"piratechnic" sea battle over Hillsborough Bay between the City of
Tampa and the Pirates of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. Amazingly,
since 1904, the pirates have won this "battle" with the City of Tampa
and with victory in hand, the stage is set for a smooth, colorful and
festive invasion of the City of Tampa on the following Saturday!
The Gasparilla
Pirate Fest
Saturday, Jan. 29, 2005
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: (813) 353-8108
For 100 years pirates have invaded Tampa Bay. The unruly plunderers
take over the city in honor of the mythical legendary pirate Jose
Gaspar. The festival –“Gasparilla Pirate Fest,” is one of the
country’s largest and most unique outdoor celebrations. It begins when
the world’s only fully-rigged pirate ship sails into the heart of
downtown Tampa. Flanked by hundreds of pleasure craft and vessels of
all shapes and sizes, the invasion is a formidable sight. Built
entirely of steel, the black-hulled Jose Gasparilla measures 165 feet
in length and is topped by three masts that tower 100 feet above deck.
Tugboats tow the craft and its crew of 700 pirates with flags flying
and cannons booming as the vessel makes its way up Hillsborough Bay
and into downtown Tampa.
After the invasion, the Mayor hands over the keys to the city and
Gaspar and his merry mates board a float and join another 120 krewes
to display their “treasures” in a 3.5-mile parade down beautiful
Bayshore Boulevard.
The history and name of this Tampa tradition traces back to the
legendary antics of Jose Gaspar. Gaspar reputedly patrolled the waters
of West Florida during the late 18th century. A society columnist with
The Tampa Tribune is credited with creating a May festival in 1904
that first incorporated a pirate-inspired theme. The original members
of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla stormed Tampa on horseback before
becoming seaworthy in 1911. The success of those early invasions
prompted planners to move the celebration to its wintertime slot and
encouraged the creation of additional events.
A host of activities including the invasion, parade and a street
festival featuring local and national entertainment acts on several
different stages draw thousands of people downtown.
February
2005
The
Gasparilla Distance Classic
Saturday, Feb. 5 – Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: 813-229-RUNN
E-mail: gdca.run@aol.com
The Bank of America 27th Annual Gasparilla Distance Classic attracts
world class athletes who compete in 5K , 15K, marathon and half
marathon events on foot as well as the 15K course in wheelchairs.
Consistently voted the best race in Florida by Florida Running
Magazine and ranked among the Top Ten Races in the United States by
Runner's World, the Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic has
become one of the largest running events in Florida. The primary
purpose of the race is to funds for local youth charities and
education foundations.
The race is internationally known and recognized as one of the top 25
races in the world, according to event promoters. The majority of the
race takes place along scenic Bayshore Boulevard. The men's and open
wheelchair 15K course starts at Brorein and Franklin streets. The
women's course and the course for all other wheelchair competitors
begins at Morgan and Cumberland streets; the 5K begins at Brorein and
Tampa streets. The finish line for all races is at the Bayshore
Boulevard Marina, at the foot of the Platt Street Bridge.
The marathon and half marathon routes are to be determined.
In addition to the races, there is a "Not For Runners Only Health and
Fitness Expo," at the Tampa Convention Center. This free expo features
health and fitness demonstrations and the latest in shoe and running
apparel.
Gasparilla
Festival of the Arts
Saturday, Feb. 5 – Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: Hotline (813) 876-1747
Hundreds of painters, artisans, photographers, sculptors, jewelers and
artists from around the world display their work at the Gasparilla
Festival of the Arts. The first show began in 1971 and featured 130
artists. With over 300 exhibitors, the festival attracts more than
300,000 art enthusiasts, making it one of the largest art shows in the
Southeast.
Festival-goers will find displays of art in many mediums including
glass, oil painting, water color, drawing, graphics, paper, fiber,
jewelry, ceramics, photography and sculpture.
The festival, which is partly sponsored by Raymond James Financial,
Inc., will also feature local and regional entertainment, a Hands-on
Arts & Crafts children’s workshop by the Tampa Museum of Art and
various food vendors.
Sunshine Artists, a national magazine that covers outdoor art shows
and festivals, ranked Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in the top 25
festivals in the country for fine arts, and in the top 10 for fine
crafts.
Located in downtown Tampa, the show is on Franklin Street and Lykes
Gaslight Park. The festival awards more than $61,500 in prize money
with $15,000 for Raymond James Financial Best of Show.
The Florida
State Fair
Thursday, Feb. 10 – Monday, Feb. 21, 2005
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: 813-621-7821
Toll Free: 1-800-345-FAIR
The Florida State Fair features the best arts, crafts, livestock,
entertainment and food found in Florida. It is the only “state” fair
in Florida and one of the largest major fairs in the Southeast and
features one of the largest midways in the country.
More than 200 rides, games and attractions are spread over the 319
acre site. Entertainment acts such as LeAnn Rimes, Ashanti, Bill Cosby
and Loretta Lynn have graced the stages at the fair. All headline
entertainment shows are in Entertainment Hall, a 5,000-seat, climate
controlled building. Concert ticket prices are $5 in addition to gate
admission.
It is now listed among the top 50 fairs in North America in terms of
attendance. Visitors come from all 67 Florida counties, all 50 states
and more than one dozen foreign countries. The fair has been named
"One of the Top 100 Tourist Destinations on the North American
Continent" by the American Bus Association. The Florida State Fair has
an estimated economic impact on Hillsborough County of $55.6 million
and is presented in association with the Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Sant 'Yago
Knight Parade
Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: 813/248-3088
The streets of downtown Tampa and Ybor City come ablaze when hundreds
of floats masked with lights and loaded with bands and pirates fill
the streets for the Sant'Yago Knight Parade. It's the city's biggest
night parade and named for the Krewe of the Knights of Sant'Yago, a
250 member group that has its roots in the ninth-century Spanish
Brotherhood of the Royal Order of St. James. The krewe designed the
parade as a way to enhance and perpetuate Tampa’s strong Latin
heritage.
The Fun Begins at 2 p.m. with The Red Baron Pizza Family Fiesta at Joe
Chillura Courthouse Square. There will be special activities and live
music, a Monster Mural that is a four story interactive painting
activity, kids crafts, and roving street performers. The event
culminates with a “big-as-all outdoor” Red Baron Pizza Party for kids
with free Red Baron Pizza, special Parade Beads, giveaways, jugglers,
face painting, balloon twisters, and more!
In the Knighting for Kids Area, kids (of all ages!) will receive the
royal treatment at this specially-themed area, where they will be
knighted with swords held by the Knights of the Krewe of Sant’Yago,
receive a certificate of Knighthood and an exclusive medallion bead.
The new knights can even make their own beaded necklace and royal
jeweled crowns.
The parade begins at 6:00 p.m. at Kennedy Blvd. and Nebraska in
downtown Tampa. The route will take the parade west on Kennedy Blvd.
to Morgan St.; north on Morgan St. to Twiggs; east on Twiggs to
Nebraska; north on Nebraska to Nick Nuccio; north on Nick Nuccio to
7th Ave; east on 7th Ave. to 21st. St..
The Knight Parade was voted the largest and most beautiful night
parade in the South and one of the Top 10 parades in the Southeast by
Suncoast Magazine.
Outback
Steakhouse Pro-Am
Monday, Feb. 21 – Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005
Lutz, FL
Local Phone: 813-265-4653
Tampa’s 18th Annual CHAMPIONS TOUR’S event regularly attracts a strong
field from the CHAMPIONS TOUR’S top money winners. Under new
sponsorship, 2004 marked the first Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am. The
event takes place at the 6,638 yard, par 71 Tournament Players Club of
Tampa Bay in February and features celebrity amateurs. This stadium
golf course allows spectators to view multiple holes at once. The
Pro-Am is broadcast nationally by the Golf Channel on the Friday,
Saturday and Sunday of tournament week. This event generates a $32
million economic impact locally.
The tournament attracts crowds of more than 95,000 people. In 2004
professionals competed for a $ 1.6 million purse. Mark McNulty won the
2004 tournament. Past champions include Bob Gilder, Jim Albus, Jack
Nicklaus, Mike Hill, Bob Charles, Dale Douglass, Jim Colbert, Rocky
Thompson, Larry Nelson, Dave Stockton and Doug Tewell.
Fiesta Day
Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: 813-248-0721
Other Phone: 813-621-7121
Fax: 813-248-0431
E-mail: info@cc-events.org
Tampa's Historical Ybor (Ee-bore) City showcases its ethnic roots with
Fiesta Day. It was started to honor the oldest residents living in
Ybor. Now, the free street festival honors the Cuban, German, Italian,
African Cuban, Jewish and Spanish immigrants who first settled in Ybor
in 1886. A 58-year old tradition, the festival extends several blocks,
fills the streets with fun and activities such as arts & crafts,
musical performances, ethnic style cuisine and cultural exhibits. The
celebration hosts a maze of exciting events that weave throughout the
streets of Ybor City. The Columbia Restaurant, Tampa's Palace of
Spanish cuisine and famous for its flamboyant Flamenco dancers, serves
out of town visitors free Spanish bean soup, cafe con leche and Cuban
bread. The event also hosts a flan cooking contest at the Ybor City
Fresh Market, a Saturday market that has been serving Ybor City
residents for over four years. The day is capped off by the
International Parade of Flags which proceeds down 7th Ave as the sun
starts to set. The event is free and open to the public.
March 2005
The Florida
Strawberry Festival
Thursday, Mar. 3 – Sunday, Mar. 13, 2005
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: 813/754-1996
Other Phone: 813/759-6313 or 813/754-2190
The Florida Strawberry Festival is a celebration of strawberries that
dates back to 1930. It began when members of the Plant City Lions Club
decided to celebrate the area's bountiful harvest of strawberries. The
11 day festival, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from
around the world. The Winter Strawberry Capital of the World --Plant
City-- is located about 24 miles east of Tampa.
The festival features daily entertainment by some of music's biggest
stars. Headline acts like the Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Travis, and
Loretta Lynn have all graced the festival’s stages. Events and
exhibits of the popular festival include agriculture shows, commerce,
education, industry, livestock, a baby contest, and the Midway
featuring over 60 rides. Competitions range from cook offs and
clogging to diaper decorating and strawberry shortcake eating
contests.
The festival features two country music shows each evening on the main
stage. Limited FREE seating is available on a first come, first served
basis. Tickets may be purchased for reserved seats for afternoon and
evening shows.
St. Patricks
Day Parade
Saturday, Mar. 12, 2005
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: (813) 248-2151
The streets of Ybor City come ablaze with hundreds of floats masked
with lights and loaded with leprechauns. The annual St. Patrick's Day
Parade in Ybor City presented by the Tampa Rough Riders will fill the
streets with green and clovers. Beads, Beads, and more Beads will hang
around the thousands of children and adults attending the parade.
There will also be many food and trinket vendors. The celebration of
the St. Patrick‘s Day Parade is on its 10th year and said to be a
great time for all ages.
The parade begins at 8:00 p.m. at Nuccio and 4th in Ybor City. The
route will take the parade North up Nuccio to 7th Ave; east on 7th to
20th; where the parade will end.
Apollo Beach
Manatee Arts Festival
Saturday, Mar. 12 – Sunday, Mar. 13, 2005
Apollo Beach, FL
Local Phone: 813/645-1366
The 13th Annual Apollo Beach Manatee Arts Festival is a major arts and
crafts show that promotes visual and performing arts as well as
awareness and preservation of the endangered Florida Manatee.
The event features 100 artists and craftsmen from across the nation
displaying their work in addition to “Young At Art” children’s art
show, a Children’s Creativity Center, live entertainment, beer garden
and wide variety of food and beverage vendors. Numerous organizations
will be on hand to educate and demonstrate ways to protect Tampa Bay
waters and Florida wildlife such as the Florida Manatee.
Location: Apollo Beach on Highway 41; just south of Big Bend Road
Nearby Hotel:
Mariner's Club
Bahia Beach Rst
Best of
Tampa Bay
Saturday, Mar. 19, 2005
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: 813-229-STAR
Toll Free: 1-800-955-1045
Don’t miss the 20th Anniversary of the Bay area’s premier food event,
Best of Tampa Bay, hosted by The Producers Volunteer Group as a
benefit for The Center.
Best of Tampa Bay combines fine food and entertainment with the
ambience of the cultural surroundings of The Performing Arts Center
and the adjacent riverwalk on a spring evening. From haute cuisine to
sizzling steaks, Best of Tampa Bay will tantalize taste buds with
various entrée samplings, luscious desserts, specialty coffees, fine
wines and imported beers. Over fifty of Tampa Bay’s best restaurants,
caterers and vendors will be participating.
Guests will be entertained by a variety of Florida artists showcased
throughout the event on four separate stages. The Center has engaged
premiere performers from around the state for everything from jazz to
contemporary pop.
April 2005
Bern's
Winefest
Friday, Apr. 22 – Monday, Apr. 25, 2005
2208 West Morrison Ave.
Tampa, FL 33606
Local Phone: (813) 253-0358
Legendary Tampa restaurant, Bern’s Steak House, with SideBern’s and
Bern’s Fine Wines & Spirits, will hold its 8th Annual Winefest April
22-25, 2005. At this four-day event, guests will have the opportunity
to experience extraordinary food and wine tastings, educational
seminars and winemaker dinners. Join Bern’s experts and special guests
for classes about wine and food.
Bern’s Steak House began as a sandwich shop in 1956 and has since
evolved into one of Tampa’s finest restaurants. Internationally known
for its wine cellar, Bern’s offers a very unique fine dining
experience.
SideBern’s is a progressive, fine dining restaurant with a globally
influenced menu and cutting edge cuisine.
Friday, April 22 will feature the Classical Wines of Spain with a
delectable five-course dinner. Part of the proceeds from this event
will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Saturday, April 23 will feature a relaxed, casual afternoon with a
three-course luncheon and two wine seminars featuring Italian wines
from Poderi Colla & Seminars.
Sunday, April 24 highlights the first VIP and Grand Tasting event.
Premium champagnes will be sampled and paired with SideBern’s bites at
the VIP Champagne Tasting in the late morning and more than 150 wines
paired with bite’s from Bern’s and SideBern’s from 12:45 p.m. to 5
p.m. for the Grand Tasting. The afternoon Grand Tasting will also
offer wine and food seminars and a silent auction.
Monday, April 25 concludes the Winefest event with an exclusive
five-course dinner paired with the wines of Opus One. Portions of each
ticket will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
May 2005
Ruskin
Tomato Festival
Saturday, May. 7 – Sunday, May. 8, 2005
Ruskin, FL
Local Phone: 813/645-3808
All of Tampa Bay is seeing red during the Tomato and Heritage Festival
at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin, a small historic coastal community
south of Tampa. The delicious Ruskin tomato is undoubtedly the star of
the festival and highlights include “The Great Tomato Cook-off,” the
crowning of the “Ruskin Tomato Festival Queen” and the all-you-can-eat
sliced tomatoes. Live entertainment, a farmer’s market and a Street
Rod Show.
Ruskin is located in Southern Hillsborough County, on the eastern
shore of Tampa Bay. The community was settled in the late 1800's by
followers of John Ruskin, a writer from England. Today, the town is
famous for Ruskin tomatoes and other agricultural crops.
Location: E.G. Simmons Park
Nearby Hotel:
Mariner's Club
Bahia Beach Rst
June 2005
July 2005
August 2004
September
2004
October 2004
Tampa
International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
Thursday, Oct. 7 – Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: 813-879-4220
Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, celebrating its 15th
year this October 7-17. The Festival is one of west central Florida’s
premier cultural events, drawing approximately 15,000 attendees from
all over the region and state, and … this year, we have even bigger
plans!
NSRA Southeast
Street Rod Nationals
Friday, Oct. 8 – Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004
Tampa, FL
Other Phone: 303/776 7841
Vintage automobile collectors from around the country gather at the
Florida State Fairgrounds for what is known as the "largest street rod
show in the Southeast." The 16th annual NSRA Southeast Street Rod
Nationals features more than 1,400 pre 1949 street rods worth more
than $25.5 million. To qualify as a street rod, the vehicles must be
pre 1949 cars equipped with modernized parts. These shiny street rods
feature reconditioned engines and luxurious interiors. The Street Rod
Nationals generate an estimated $1.4 million economic impact locally,
according to National Street Rod Association officials.
Guavaween
Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: (813) 242-4828
E-mail: info@cc-events.org
The 21st annual zany celebration features the mythical Mama Guava, who
has sworn to take the "bore" out of Ybor (Ee-bore) City, and a parade
of her devoted followers. Guavaween is a New Orleans style Halloween
celebration based on Tampa's nickname, “The Big Guava.” Costumed
revelers pack Ybor City for the huge street party. The festival
includes a night parade and street party featuring multiple stages of
entertainment. Guavaween has expanded into an all day event, with a
Family FunFest offering activities for the entire family.
Tampa's Halloween tradition begins in Centennial Park (8th Avenue &
19th Street) and continues into Centro Ybor (8th Avenue & 16th Street)
with family activities and entertainment. The "Mama Guava Stumble," a
satirical parade begins in the evening. The streets are filled with
partygoers disguised in a menagerie of costumes from the traditional
ghosts and goblins to the outlandish "Caspar the Unfriendly Ghost" and
walking lightning bolts. Cash prizes are awarded to parade entries
best capturing the Guavaween spirit. The costume contest winner
receives $1,000 in cash prizes
Tampa received its nickname “The Big Guava” when Gavino Gutierrez, an
early
Tampa pioneer tried to cultivate guavas commercially here but was
unsuccessful due to the climate and rising land prices. However, a
local newspaper columnist was more successful at planting the idea
that, if New York is “The Big Apple,” it would only be right to refer
to Tampa as “The Big Guava.”
FAMILY FUNFEST:
Fun for children and families of all ages featuring a
Safe Trick or Treat, Mama Guava’s Silly Scavenger Hunt,
The Home Depot Kid’s Workshop, Live Entertainment on
Two stages and a Children’s Costume Parade and Contest.
GUAVALOVE IT! COOKING CONTEST:
Contestants from all over the Bay Area compete for a cash
Prize by cooking a delicious dish using any part of the
Guava fruit.
NIGHT OF COSTUMED REVELRY:
Mama Guava Stumble Parade kicks off on the corner of 7th Avenue and
20th Street, then goes west on 7th Avenue, north on 14th Street, east
on 9th Avenue. Parade begins at 6:30 pm.
The costume Contest will take place at 9pm on one of the multiple
stages present at Guavaween
November
2004
Tampa Cigar
Heritage Festival
Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: 813-247-1434
E-mail: info@ybormuseum.org
On November 6, 2004, Tampa’s Latin Quarter, The Ybor City Museum
Society will host the 7th Annual Tampa Cigar Heritage Festival. The
one-time “cigar capital of the world,” Ybor City is one of only three
National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida.
Ybor City’s history and heritage goes back to 1886 when Cuban cigar
manufacturer Don Vicente Martinez Ybor moved his factory to Tampa.
Soon Cuban, Spanish, Italian and German immigrants came to work in Mr.
Ybor’s City creating a vivacious multi-cultural neighborhood. At Ybor
City’s peak in the 1920s, 12,000 cigar workers in Tampa’s 200
factories churned out 700 million cigars a year.
A celebration of Ybor City and Tampa’s cigar past and present, the
Cigar Heritage Festival will feature hundreds of cigar vendors and
retailers showcasing premier cigars and cigar related items, cigar
rolling, food and wine demonstrations, interactive cultural
activities, ethnic food and entertainment and lots of fun for the
whole family. WFLA 970 AM Radio’s Cigar Dave will broadcast his “Smoke
This” show live from the festival. There will also be Latin musical
entertainment performing live at the festival. Last year’s performance
was by the Atlantic Rhythm Section. Proceeds benefit the Dennis Clark
Memorial Fund.
Ruskin Seafood
and Arts Festival
Saturday, Nov. 6 – Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004
Ruskin, FL
Local Phone: 813/645-3808
Sun, sand and plenty of seafood line the shores of Tampa Bay at the
fifteenth annual Ruskin Seafood and Arts Festival. More than 20
vendors and restaurants offer visitors "tastes" of their seafood
specialties. Shrimp, cracked conch, grouper sandwiches, clam chowder,
alligator and oysters are just some of the dishes that are available.
Location: E.G. Simmons Park, Ruskin, Florida
Nearby Hotel:
Mariner's Club
Bahia Beach Rst
December
2004
Victorian
Christmas Stroll
Wednesday, Dec. 1 – Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004
Tampa, FL
Local Phone: (813) 258-7302
Experience the extravagance and grandeur of a Victorian Christmas at
the former 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel during the Henry B. Plant Museum’s
Victorian Christmas Stroll. As a time-honored tradition delighting
visitors with a glimpse of Christmas past, the exhibition opens to the
public December 1st to 23rd, 2003, 10:00am to 8:00pm daily.
The Victorian Christmas Stroll provides museum guests with an
opportunity to see magnificent rooms adorned with authentic
Victorian-style decorations, elaborately trimmed trees, lush greenery,
antique toys and imaginative ornaments. Enchanting renditions of
traditional Christmas carols featuring flute, harp, mandolin, bells
and heavenly vocals resonate through out the museum creating a
relaxing and magical atmosphere.
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