Winter Events in the Tampa Bay, Florida Region

Tampa Bay, Florida includes the region that makes up the many diverse communities that surround Tampa Bay, a body of water off the Gulf of Mexico on the western coast of Florida. The area is rich in international flavors including the Latin roots of Ybor City and the Greek ancestry of Tarpon Springs. There are winter events in the area that are as diverse as the cultures. The winter fun begins in January with the Dade City Kumquat Festival and the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. In February, the good times continue with the Florida State Fair, Fiesta Day in Ybor City and the Gasparilla District Classic. The winter events continue through March with the Gasparilla Arts Festival and the Strawberry Festival held in Plant City.

This year the Kumquat Festival and the Gasparilla Pirate Festival were held the same day, Saturday of the last weekend in January. Although it rained most of the day, it didn't dampen the spirits of the festival goers. Many of the winter events have "Gasparilla" in their title. This name is in recognition of the legendary, mythical pirate, Jose Gaspar who invaded and took over Tampa. He called himself Gasparilla and you can learn more about him at this website: http://www.josegaspar.net/AboutJose.htm. The Gasparilla Pirate Festival reenacts the imaginary battle between the pirates and the city of Tampa concluding with the mayor giving the pirates the keys to the city. There are parades on both land and sea and pirates wandering about everywhere handing out Mardi Gras type beads to one and all. The more strands of beads you go home with, the better.

Due to the extremely cold January weather in Florida, the kumquat harvest was sparse for the Kumquat Festival. Many growers saved all their kumquats exclusively for the festival; fresh kumquats will not be available in grocery stores until November 2010. Kumquats are a small member of the citrus family. They are both sweet and sour; the skin is sweet and the center is tart. In spite of the small harvest, the festival offered kumquat pies, kumquat honey and even a sweet kumquat wine. According to an article in the Tampa Tribune by Laura Kinsler, "...the festival made many changes this year." It welcomed new exhibits, "...including Minnie Mouse-shaped topiaries from Walt Disney World's Epcot Center."

Although it is too late to attend the above local winter events this year, it is not too late for the Florida State Fair held in Tampa from Feb. 4-15. The state fair offers an abundance of shows, music, food and shopping for the whole family. General admission tickets for Monday through Friday are $10 for ages 12 and up, $12 on Saturday and Sunday. Children 6-11 are $5 Monday through Friday and $6 on Saturday and Sunday. Children five and younger are free. There is an abundance of free attractions and performances included with the price of admission. These include daily parades, bands, crafts, Country Gold Tour Concert and FCW wrestling. Tickets for midway rides and concerts are extra. A new offering this year is helicopter rides featuring the original Batcopter from the television series "Batman." Parking is free and the gates open daily from 9 AM; closing times vary.

The last weekend in February plays host to a couple of more winter events in the Tampa Bay area. One is Fiesta Day held in Ybor City. Ybor City is Tampa's Latin section and Fiesta Day honors the diverse population that settled in the district. Among those who first settled in the area in 1886 were Germans, Cubans, Italians, African-Cubans, Jewish and Spanish immigrants. Your senses will be awakened by the sights and aromas of these diverse cultures during Fiesta Day.

The Gasparilla Distance Classic takes place the same weekend as Fiesta Day. World class runners convene in downtown Tampa to compete in 15K and 5K races on Saturday. On Sunday the runners can compete in a marathon, half marathon or marathon relay. The marathon and half marathon races can be used as qualifiers for the Boston Marathon. There is also a 5K walk and Stroller Walk for people pushing strollers and baby joggers and a 15K wheelchair race.

A popular winter event that takes place in March is the Plant City Strawberry Festival. Plant City is the strawberry capital of the world. The festival takes place March 4-14 this year. It features a variety of exhibits including agriculture, commerce, industry, fine arts, horticulture and crafts. Concerts include well known musicians such as Mel Tillis, the Oak Ridge Boys, REO Speedwagon and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The comedy team of the Smothers Brothers will also be performing. Concert tickets cost extra plus the price of admission. Admission tickets can be purchased in advance and prices are $8 for ages 12 and up and $4 for ages 6-11. Midway rides, games and attractions are also extra. Saturday March 6 is Kids' Day and kids through high school are admitted free with reduced prices for rides. Anticipating a slice of delicious strawberry shortcake makes my mouth water. There is parking on and around the festival grounds.

The Gasparilla Arts Festival occurs the first weekend of March. It is held in downtown Tampa and this year at the new Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. This is an appropriate setting for one of the country's premier outdoor art festivals. It runs Saturday March 6 from 9 AM to 6 PM and Sunday March 7 from 10 AM to 5 PM. This juried show attracts some of the finest artists in the country. The top prize for best in show is $15,000; and there is an additional $60,000 in prize money. Admission is free and downtown parking will be available. It also features a children's art activity area.

When the weather is too cold to enjoy the beautiful beaches along the coast near Tampa Bay, there is still much to see and do. Not only are there an abundance of winter events there are theme parks, a wonderful zoo and several museums to enjoy. No matter what the weather, there is no excuse to be bored while in Tampa Bay.

Sources:

1. http://www.tampagov.net/news_and_events/feature_events/index.asp

2. http://www.tampabayrun.com/Race_Info/Marathon_and_Half_Marathon/General_Information.htm

3. http://www.ybor.org/index.cfm?section=vs

4. http://www.floridastatefair.com/state-fair

5. http://www.gasparilla-arts.com/about.htm

6. http://www.kumquatgrowers.com/

7. http://goflorida.about.com/cs/eventsfestivals/a/flastatefair.htm

8. http://www.visittampabay.com/static/index.cfm?action=group&contentID=5