The crowd is drawn to the live music stage during last year’s Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
ST. PETERSBURG - Rev up the fun meter April 3-5, when the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg brings plenty of entertainment action to town.
Festivities begin with the St. Petersburg Festival of States Honda Grand Prix Illuminated Night Parade on Thursday, April 2, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by a Street Party at Straub Park.
New this year, organizers are offering live music on all three days, including performances by Nashville recording artist Michelle Murray and plenty of others, including Kings County, The Soul Power Review, Jo Dell and Ace Factor.
All concerts are scheduled on the GTE Federal Credit Union/Auto Advisers Stage in the Honda Plaza, located adjacent to the Mahaffey Theater. Performance times are:
Friday, April 3
12:15 to 2:15 p.m. Kings County (rock)
4:15 to 5:30 p.m. The Soul Power Review (R&B)
Saturday, April 4
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Jo Dell and the Mountain Road Band (country)
1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Michelle Murray (country)
Sunday, April 5
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Ace Factor (dance)
King’s County from Orlando, performs high energy party rock and alternative modern music. Originally from Long Island, NY, Kings County performed throughout the northeast and was the house band at Pleasure Island. The band also supported American Idol’s Bo Bice on his 2006 tour.
Jo Dell has found great success for her country voice in the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. In the United States, she has performed with such major artists as Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans, Tricia Yearwood and K.D. Lang.
Recently relocated to Nashville, Michelle Murray is at work on her new CD. Since arriving in Nashville, Murray has recorded her latest CD "With You," for which she co-wrote the title track.
Ace Factor has become one of the premier dance and show bands in the country. The band’s material is retro thru current, and their live shows are popular with a wide range of audiences.
Plenty of family fun also is on tap at the Bright House Networks Speed Zone. Attractions include a 120-foot high Ferris wheel, one of the tallest in the state, that race organizers promise will offer one of the best views of the race circuit. The Ferris wheel will operate daily from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. There is a $5 charge per passenger for each ride.
Other activities in the Speed Zone include clown performances, face painting, video games, remote-controlled cars, rock climbing, a chance to meet race drivers and more.
Read all about the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and get the complete schedule in this week's online edition. Don't miss Bee editor Chary Southmayd's story about local driver Patrick Long.
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