TOGETHER WITH
Good morning Tampa!
It's officially October, and the forecast still says 90 every single day.
Storms pop up most afternoons, so plan the outdoor stuff early. In this edition, we have...
A free garden festival in Wesley Chapel
Harvest Days at Keel Farms
A ballet about old Ybor
And more!
Presented by Bright Lights Tampa
It’s Officially the Holiday Season
October in Tampa still feels like summer. But Christmas light season is here, and installation spots fill up fast.
Drew and the Bright Lights Tampa crew can install permanent LED lights along your roofline once, so there’s no yearly setup and takedown.
The lights stay up all year, and you can turn them on and change the colors from an app on your phone for Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any other holiday.
A Free Garden Festival in Wesley Chapel Saturday
Photo: Cameron McKinney, Unsplash
Gardening 365 takes over Wesley Chapel District Park on Saturday, 9am to 4pm. It's free, and it happens rain or shine.
It's the biggest garden festival and plant sale in Pasco. Master Gardeners will answer whatever's been dying in your yard. There's also a live butterfly exhibit to walk through. Stick around for the talks on fruit trees and herbs.
You'll want room in the car. Your plant money keeps the county's gardening classes free.
When: Saturday 10/3, 9am to 4pm
Where: Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Rd
Cost: Free. Plants and food are for sale.
Harvest Days Start at Keel Farms
Photo: Jesse Gardner, Unsplash
Keel Farms in Plant City kicks off Harvest Days this weekend. It's free to get in. It runs every Saturday and Sunday in October, 10am to 3pm.
There's a corn maze and pumpkin painting. The pie eating contest is best watched from a safe distance. The grownups get the cider and wine.
Go in the morning. The afternoon storms have been showing up on schedule.
When: Saturday 10/3 and Sunday 10/4, 10am to 3pm (every weekend in October)
Where: Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd, Plant City
Cost: Free entry, $10 parking
A Ballet About the People Who Built Ybor
Tampa City Ballet brings La Séptima to the New Tampa Performing Arts Center this weekend. Shows are Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm.
It follows the immigrants who built Ybor City in the early 1900s. You'll see the social clubs and the underground gambling scene. The dancers perform to live music, with film playing alongside.
La Séptima is the old name for 7th Avenue. If you've ever walked it on a Saturday night, this one's about the people who came first.
When: Friday 10/2 and Saturday 10/3, 7:30pm
Where: New Tampa Performing Arts Center, 8550 Hunters Village Rd
Cost: $40 to $70
Weather
Thursday 10/1: High 90° / Low 75° - Mostly Sunny, Isolated Storms
Friday 10/2: High 90° / Low 75° - Partly Sunny, Widespread Storms
Saturday 10/3: High 90° / Low 74° - Mostly Sunny, Chance of Storms
Sunday 10/4: High 90° / Low 74° - Mostly Sunny, Scattered Storms
Monday 10/5: High 88° / Low 73° - Isolated Storms
Tuesday 10/6: High 85° / Low 71° - Isolated Storms
Wednesday 10/7: High 89° / Low 75° - Light Drizzle
Sunset Saturday: 7:14pm
Friday looks like the wettest day. Keep an umbrella in the car all week.
More This Week
Thursday 10/1
Rock the Park - from 6pm at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (free live music)
Line dancing lessons - 7-9pm on the patio at Keel Farms, Plant City (free)
Friday 10/2
Jazz with Jim - 7:30pm at the Carrollwood Cultural Center ($13-$20)
Art & Aces, A Night of Vintage Glamour - 7:30-11pm at the Tampa Museum of Art ($250, open bar and casino games)
Los Tigres del Norte - 8pm at Benchmark International Arena ($99-$299)
Saturday 10/3
Rock the Bay Dinner Dance Party - boards 8pm on the Yacht StarShip (from $49.95, or $74.95 with dinner, first sailing of the season)
Lightning home opener vs. the Capitals - 7pm at Benchmark International Arena (from $80)
Sunday 10/4
Yoga in the Park - 6-7pm at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (free, bring a mat)
Monday 10/5 to Wednesday 10/7
Mon: HIIT in the Park - 6pm at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (free)
Tue: Zumba in the Park - 6pm at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (free)
Wed: Mayor's Food Truck Fiesta - 11am-2pm at Lykes Gaslight Square Park (free to walk in)
Looking Ahead
Thu 10/8: Downtown's Backyard Market - at Poe Plaza (free)
Fri 10/9: Keys in the Park, dueling pianos - at Lykes Gaslight Square Park (free)
Fri 10/9 to Sun 10/11: Oktoberfest Tampa - at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (presale tickets online)
Sat 10/24 and Sun 10/25: Wesley Chapel Fall Festival and Carnival - at The Grove (free entry)
Ongoing: Raprager Farms Fall Festival - Fridays through Sundays into November
That's it for this week's edition of Tampa Loop!
Stay dry out there, and enjoy the first weekend of October!
If you're thinking ahead to the holidays, ask Drew's crew about permanent lights before spots fill up.
See you next week! 🌞
Kevin C
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