TAMPA - Junk food galore, carnival rides, live music, clowns, competitions, animal displays, exhibits and more. The Florida State Fair at the Tampa Fairgrounds continues daily through Feb. 20.
“The annual Florida State Fair is a salute to the state's best in the agriculture and equestrian industry including an abundance of shows, music, rides, food and shopping for 12 consecutive days,” according to this year’s brochure.
Gates open at 9 a.m. Friday through Sunday and 10 a.m. Monday through Thursday.
Children under the age of 5 get in free. Adults, age 12 and older, pay $10 Monday through Friday and $12 Saturday and Sunday. Children’s admission, ages 6-11, Monday through Friday is $5 and $6 on Saturday and Sunday. A diet Mountain Dew can saves money on midway rides Feb. 10 and 20.
Parking is free.
This year’s special attractions include an Elvis Extravaganza, Feb. 11-12 and Elvis Live, Feb. 17-20. Check out the Xtreme Sports Show daily except for Feb. 15. The Yesterdaze Show features music from the 1970s, Feb. 10-12. Cheer and dance competitions are scheduled on Feb. 11-12. Chris MacArthur and the Florida Cracker Boys appear Feb. 17-18.
And, no one should miss the lawnmower races Feb. 18-19 in the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center.
If that’s not enough, a variety of other entertainment is scheduled during the daily free shows, including the Blues Brothers, Dennis Lee, Kachunga & the Alligator, Welde Bear Show, Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, Racing Pigs, Circus Hollywood, Spanish Lyric Theater, International Stage, Horse Shows at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, Bluegrass music in Cracker Country, Livestock shows in the Agribusiness area, the Florida Armed Forces Museum and an exotic petting zoo.
ST. PETE BEACH - The Kiwanis Club of Gulf Beaches, is hosting the fourth annual Month of Mardi Gras through Feb. 19.
Proceeds benefit a variety of Children’s Charities, including; the Miracle League, Pinellas Hope, All Children's Hospital, The Pinellas County Schools Homeless Education Assistance Team and it’s Every Child a Swimmer program.
The Mardi Gras St Pete Beach Midway is Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18-19 behind the Alden Beach Resort, 5900 Gulf Blvd. in St. Pete Beach.
GULFPORT - Visit Gulfport’s Waterfront Art District and purchase original works at the Third Saturday Art Walk on Feb. 18, 6 to 10 p.m.
Take home a new piece of art choosing from up to 50 artists and crafters, as well as authors and entertainers stretched over a half-mile up and down scenic Beach Boulevard.
Live musicians including Motown with Magic, Double M Band and others, will be appearing at venues throughout the Village. Observe the talented artists at work all along Beach and Shore boulevards.
TARPON SPRINGS - The Gulf Coast Folklife Center offers a variety of programming focusing on traditional culture, including special events, exhibits, workshops and more.
CLEARWATER - Props from the movie “Dolphin Tale” will be presented for sale at a fundraising event Saturday, Feb. 18, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage.
Attendees will have an opportunity to purchase a piece of cinematic history as props from the film “Dolphin Tale” will be offered for sale to raise funds for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. In addition to movie props, many items from the aquarium will be up for sale as well. Funds received from the sale will help care for more marine animals, just like the world famous dolphin Winter.
“Dolphin Tale,” a Warner Bros. and Alcon Entertainment film, was inspired by the true story of Winter the dolphin, who lost her tail in a crab trap and learned to swim again using a prosthetic tail. This family-friendly film brought her story and CMA’s mission of marine life rescue, rehabilitation and release to the big screen.
Becky Shaw “Becky Shaw,” by Gina Gionfriddo, presented by freeFall Theatre Company, Feb. 2-19, at freeFall, 6099 Central Ave. Performances are Thursday, 7 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Ticket prices vary according to performance date and time. Call 498-5205 or visit www.freefalltheatre.com. Starting with a fateful blind date, Becky and Max are subjected to a series of comically unfortunate events.
Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival 20th annual Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18-19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Main Street in Downtown Dunedin. The event is free and open to the public. This juried outdoor craft showcase will feature original crafts, handmade in America. Attendees will find unique and affordable gift items and a vast array of craft media including folk art, pottery, handmade jewelry, paintings, personalized gifts, handmade clothing, scented soaps and body products. The show will host 100 crafters from 30 different states and all crafters will be on site for the duration of the festival. For information, visit www.artfestival.com.
Knology Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival Knology Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18-19, at Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., Clearwater. This years festival headliners include Buddy Guy, Janiva Magness and Curtis Salgado. While enjoying great live performances, attendees also have an opportunity to experience Gulf Coast cuisine as vendors dish up jumbo shrimp, crab cakes, oysters and crawfish and gumbo. Admission is free. There is limited reserved seating available for purchase. Visit www.clearwaterseablues.com.
Lie, Cheat and Genuflect “Lie, Cheat and Genuflect,” by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore, presented by Early Bird Dinner Theatre, Jan. 5 through Feb. 26, at the Italian-American Club, 200 S. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. Seating for performances is Thursday through Sunday, 4 p.m. Seating for matinees is Thursday and Saturday, 11 a.m. Cost is $29.90 a person. For reservations, call 446-5898. Visit www.earlybirddinnertheatre.com. The Buckle brothers, Billy and Tom, are in big trouble: Tom's infallible eye for slow horses has drained away all of Billy's savings and he has borrowed from loan shark Pizza Face Petrillo, who now wants his money back or else. There's plenty of money in grandfather Buckle's will, but these two black sheep are pretty sure they'll never see any of that. What else to do but dress Billy up as a nun and have him pose as their cousin who is to inherit the entire fortune?
Mardi Gras Ball Mardi Gras Ball, Saturday, Feb. 18, 7 to 11 p.m., at the Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. This flamboyant Mardi Gras charity event will bring Big Easy style fun to Pinellas. The event will feature Louisiana cuisine courtesy of Bayou Catering, door prizes, dancing and live music. Party-goers will enjoy authentic Cajun, Zydeco, blues and jazz music. Colorful masks and elegant costumes are optional. Tickets are $25. For tickets and information, call Carol Reynolds at 647-1014. Proceeds will benefit Kiwanis childrens charities.
Model train exhibit CLEARWATER - The Clearwater Main Library will host a model railroad exhibit on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17 and 18, noon to 4:30 p.m., at 100 N. Osceola Ave.
“The Artistry of Model Railroads” is a model train show on the librarys first floor, with experts Rick Moock and Barry Laderer. They will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate the miniature working displays.
The exhibit will feature three themes: Fun and disasters, the battle of Gettysburg, and Thomas and friends.
The exhibit is free and open to the public. Call 562-4970.
POSH open house SAFETY HARBOR - The Players of Safety Harbor invite the public to an open house on Saturday, Feb. 18, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Safety Harbor Public Library, 101 Second St. N.
Entertainment includes excerpts and a special on-act presentation from their March production of “Harvey,” a comedy by American playwright, Mary Chase. Participants can try their luck in a chance drawing for “Harvey” tickets, meet the producers and discover volunteer opportunities with the troupe. Wine, cheese and refreshments will be served.
Performances of “Harvey” will be held on Saturdays, March 17 and 24, 8 p.m.; Friday, March 23, 8 p.m.; and Sunday, March 25, 2 p.m., at the library. Suggested donations are $8 a ticket at the door.
Call 724-1525, ext. 112 or email upstage111@yahoo.com.
Roaring Twenties Night The Knights of Columbus celebrates its second annual Roaring Twenties Night Saturday, Feb. 18, 6 to 11 p.m., at St. Patricks Catholic Church, 2121 16th Ave. SW, Largo.
Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m.; dinner at 7. Each dinner includes a salad, garlic bread and sausage. The music of the 1920s will be provided. For tickets, call Ron Klemm at 804-4804 or John Scozzafva at 422-3753.
Saints and Sinners Ball The seventh annual Saints and Sinners Ball, Saturday, Feb. 18, 6 p.m., at the Conmy Center, Our Lady Of Lourdes Church, 750 San Salvador Drive, Dunedin. This yearfs theme will be Moulin Rouge. The event will feature a gourmet buffet, top-shelf bars and a richly decorated atmosphere that aims to depict the ever-famous Moulin Rouge. Attendees also may indulge in gaming tables or participate in live and silent auctions as well as a 50/50 raffle. Entertainment will include the swanky sounds of Clearwaterfs own The Black Honkeys. Individual tables start at $1,250. Individual seating is available for $125. For ticket reservations or more information, call 738]6159 or visit www.thesaintsandsinners.com.
Seven Guitars “Seven Guitars,” by August Wilson, presented by American Stage Theatre Company, Jan. 20 through Feb. 26, in the Raymond James Theatre, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m. Ticket prices vary. Call 823-7529 or visit www.americanstage.org. Floyd Barton is a natural musician with a hit song and, in the expansive atmosphere after World War II, he dreams of the big time. But as the play begins, his wife and friends mourn his death. In Wilsons only play constructed in flashback, “Seven Guitars” takes us back to explore what happened. Who killed Floyd Barton, but more importantly, why? This play contains mature subject matter and language.
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