TOGETHER WITH
Good morning Tampa!
The Rays are in the playoffs, and it feels like every TV in town has the game on.
And does anyone else feel like it’s been raining 24/7 this week? Just a few more days of this, and then we’re back to the usual afternoon storms. In this edition, we have...
A free fall fest at Armature Works
The Scarecrow Festival in Dade City
An empanada smackdown in Ybor
And more!
Presented by Bright Lights Tampa
Holiday Lights, Start to Finish
Christmas light season is here in Tampa, and install dates are filling up.
Drew and the Bright Lights Tampa crew handle the whole job. They hang your lights, take them down after the holidays, and store them until next year.
You don't have to get on a ladder or find room for the boxes in the garage.
Tampa Loop readers get 15% off when they book by Halloween. That's just a few weeks away, so grab a spot now before the calendar fills up!
A Free Fall Fest at Armature Works This Weekend
Photo: Keir Magoulas / Visit Tampa Bay
Armature Works holds its Fall Fest Saturday and Sunday, starting at noon. It's free to get in both days.
Local vendors set up a fall market on the West Lawn, and there's live music all afternoon. The restaurants inside are pouring fall cocktails. If the grandkids tag along, there's a petting zoo and camel rides.
You can bring the dog on a leash. Parking's free at the main entrance near Steelbach.
When: Saturday 10/10, noon to 5pm, and Sunday 10/11, noon to 4pm
Where: Armature Works, 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa Heights
Cost: Free. The bounce zone is $20, and animal rides and face painting are extra.
Parking: Free at the main entrance
The Scarecrow Festival in Dade City Saturday
Photo: Brian Wegman, Unsplash
The Pioneer Florida Museum throws its Scarecrow Festival on Saturday, 9am to 4pm. Tickets are $12 online or $15 at the gate.
You can build your own scarecrow and paint a pumpkin. A blacksmith works the forge, and there's live music and a petting zoo. A Guinness record holder puts on a bubble show.
It's an easy drive up from Wesley Chapel. Bring some cash, since a few activities don't take cards.
When: Saturday 10/10, 9am to 4pm
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum, 15602 Pioneer Museum Rd, Dade City
Cost: $12 online / $10 seniors and veterans online / $15 at the gate / Kids under 5 free
Parking: Free, with a shuttle from overflow parking at the Dade City Business Center
An Empanada Smackdown in Ybor Sunday
Photo: Anton, Unsplash
The Taste of Latino Festival fills Centennial Park in Ybor on Sunday, noon to 6pm. It's free to walk in.
Booths cook food from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, and more. Chefs go head to head in an Empanada Smackdown. There's a sangria contest too, plus live music and dancing.
You'll want to come hungry. VIP tickets get you reserved seats if you'd rather not stand.
When: Sunday 10/11, noon to 6pm
Where: Centennial Park, 1800 E 8th Ave, Ybor City
Cost: Free. VIP tickets are sold separately.
Weather
Thursday 10/8: High 82° / Low 72° - Storms likely (87% chance)
Friday 10/9: High 86° / Low 74° - Storms likely (89% chance)
Saturday 10/10: High 88° / Low 76° - Storms likely (78% chance)
Sunday 10/11: High 88° / Low 76° - Storms likely (62% chance)
Monday 10/12: High 88° / Low 73° - Storms possible (34% chance)
Tuesday 10/13: High 87° / Low 70° - Slight chance of rain in the morning (15% chance)
Wednesday 10/14: High 89° / Low 71° - Sunny
Storms are likely Thursday through Sunday, so do the outdoor stuff early. The sun's back by Tuesday.
More This Week
Thursday 10/8
Downtown's Backyard Market - 11am-2pm at Poe Plaza (free)
Witches' Brew Paint & Sip - 6:30-8:30pm at Armature Works ($30, wine included)
Friday 10/9
Oktoberfest Tampa - 4-11pm at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, through Sunday (from $10)
Revolution: The Music of the Beatles - 7:30pm at the Straz Center's Ferguson Hall with The Florida Orchestra (ticketed, ages 5 to 18 are $20 in advance)
Raprager Farms Fall Festival - 11am-11pm in Odessa, open Fridays through Sundays ($19)
Saturday 10/10
USF Fall Plant Festival - 9am-3pm at the USF Botanical Gardens ($8.60 presale)
Time Travelers Vintage Expo - 10am-5pm at the Florida State Fairgrounds ($10 advance, $12 at the door, 12 and under free)
Candy Crawl - 10am-2pm at The Shops at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel (free, costumes welcome)
Sunday 10/11
Yoga in the Park - 6-7pm at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (free, bring a mat)
Monday 10/12 to Wednesday 10/14
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: Dollar Book Sale - 10am-5pm at the Carrollwood Cultural Center ($1 a book)
Looking Ahead
Thu 10/15 to Sun 10/18: Art Fair Tampa - 110 artists at the Tampa Convention Center (free)
Fri 10/16: Rhythm & Hues alleyway art show - at the Rialto Theatre (free)
Sat 10/24: Pops in the Park with The Florida Orchestra - 7pm at Vinoy Park, St. Pete (free)
Sat 10/24 and Sun 10/25: Wesley Chapel Fall Festival and Carnival - at The Grove (free entry)
Ongoing: Armature Works pumpkin patch - Thursdays through Sundays until Nov 1 (free)
That's it for this week's edition of Tampa Loop!
Get out there and enjoy some fall festivals this weekend!
If you'd rather skip the ladder this year, book a free quote with Bright Lights Tampa before Halloween.
See you next week! 🌞
Kevin C
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