Good morning Tampa!
We're hitting the mid-80s this weekend with mostly sunny skies, and the events calendar is absolutely stacked. In this edition, we have...
Sugar Sand Festival opens on Clearwater Beach
FuelFest takes over the Fairgrounds
ZooBrews brings the party to the zoo
And more!
Sugar Sand Festival Opens This Friday
The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival returns to Clearwater Beach this Friday for a 17-day run through April 12.
Eighteen master sand sculptors are transforming over 1,000 tons of Clearwater's white sand into larger-than-life works of art inside a 24,000-square-foot tent.
This year's theme is "United in Sand: Celebrating Sports & Spirit," and the exhibit includes an augmented-reality experience honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Beyond the sculptures, expect free concerts, fireworks on select Saturdays, a Ferris wheel, kids' play zones, free sand-sculpting classes, food trucks, and street performers.
When: March 27 through April 12
Hours: Sun-Thu 10am-9pm / Fri-Sat 10am-10pm
Where: Pier 60, Clearwater Beach (1 Causeway Blvd)
Cost: General admission $16 / Kids 5 and under free / VIP $75
Tip: Frontline workers (teachers, healthcare, military, fire, police) get $10 tickets on Fridays (3/27, 4/3, 4/10) at the gate with valid ID.
FuelFest Takes Over the Fairgrounds
FuelFest returns to the Florida State Fairgrounds on Saturday for its second annual Tampa show, and it's going bigger.
Expect 800+ custom, exotic, and rare cars, live-action drifting with fan ride-alongs, a live concert, and appearances by Fast & Furious stars Tyrese Gibson and Cody Walker.
The event also features themed car show zones, a "Taste of Tokyo" curated JDM section, a People's Choice judged competition, and VIP experiences.
A portion of all proceeds benefits Reach Out WorldWide, the nonprofit founded by Paul Walker.
When: Saturday, March 28, 1pm-8pm
Where: Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US-301
Cost: Starting at $35 / Kids 12 and under free
ZooBrews: Adults-Only Night at the Zoo
ZooTampa transforms into an all-inclusive adults-only evening on Saturday night with unlimited food, drinks, live music, games, and up-close wildlife experiences.
VIP ticket holders get early entry at 6:30pm, access to exclusive areas, and a special wildlife connection.
When: Saturday, March 28, 7:30pm-11:30pm
Where: ZooTampa at Lowry Park, 1101 W. Sligh Ave.
Cost: $84 (members) / $94 (non-members) / $159 (VIP)
Weather
Thursday 3/26: High 81° — Mostly Sunny
Friday 3/27: High 82° — Mostly Sunny
Saturday 3/28: High 85° — Sunny
Sunday 3/29: High 77° — Partly Cloudy
Monday 3/30: High 80° — Partly Cloudy
Perfect weekend to be outside. Stay hydrated out there.
More This Weekend
Comedy:
Katt Williams: The Golden Age Tour - Friday, 8pm at Benchmark International Arena (tickets from ~$81)
Sports
Lightning vs Ottawa Senators - Saturday, 1pm at Benchmark International Arena
Lightning vs Nashville Predators - Sunday, 5pm at Benchmark International Arena
Family
MOSI Water Days - Saturday, 10am-3pm (included with $20 adult / $15 kids admission)
Kids Cover to Cover - Sunday, 10am-12pm at Sparkman Wharf (free outdoor children's book fair)
Food & Outdoors
Busch Gardens Food, Wine & Garden Festival - Fri-Sun (runs through May 10)
Tampa Garden Club Flower Show & GreenFest - Sat & Sun, 9am-4pm on Bayshore Blvd (free)
Pets
SPCA Tampa Bay's 35th Annual Pet Walk - Saturday, 8am-12pm at Largo Central Park ($30 donation gets you a t-shirt, tote bag, pet bandana, and leash)
Cars
Sunset Paddle Happy Hour with Urban Kai - Friday, 6-7pm on the Riverwalk
Coming Up Next Week
Tue 3/31: Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens - 7pm at Benchmark International Arena
Wed 4/1: Gladys Knight - 8pm at Hard Rock Event Center
Thu 4/2: Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins - 7pm
Sat 4/4: Lightning vs Boston Bruins - 5pm
Ongoing: Sugar Sand Festival at Clearwater Beach (through April 12)
That's it for this week's edition of Tampa Loop!
Get out there and enjoy this incredible weekend.
See you next week!
Kevin C
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