16. Beach Blast on Treasure Island
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (727) 360-4121
Address: 10650 Gulf Blvd.
Description: Beach blanket bingo and kite-flying demonstrations have been among the activities at this Fourth of July festival on the beach. Live music, too, and fireworks shot out over the Gulf of Mexico. Look for the fun on the beach behind the hotel. Admission is free.
17. Brandon Blast
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 459 Brandon Town Center
Description: The Brandon Blast and Rock, Rib, and Ride Festival features live music, inflatable bounce houses, a Punt, Pass, and Kick football competition, a rib cook-off, and more during the day. The Festival benefits the Greater Brandon Community Foundation. Brandon generally hosts a community parade, too. Fireworks start around 9 p.m., but folks arrive early to get a parking spot.
18. Channelside Bay Plaza
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (813) 223-4250
Address: 615 Channelside Dr.
Description: Folks start gathering as early as 2 p.m. for activities. Live music begins at 6 p.m., and fireworks go off at 9 p.m. The Florida Aquarium and the Tampa Bay History Center, both within walking distance, sometimes stay open late and have special ticket prices. The American Victory Museum & Ship, docked behind the Florida Aquarium, sometimes has festivities. These places plus Cotanchobee Park, next to the Tampa Bay History Center, are all great places to watch the show, which is launched from a barge in Garrison Channel. Parking is tight, but there are plenty of parking lots. Come early, and plan to stay awhile.
19. Clearwater Celebrates America
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (727) 562-4700
Address: 301 Drew St.
Description: Gather in Coachman Park, then enjoy the Mostly Pops Orchestra with John and Mary K. Wilson, starting round 7:30 p.m. John Wilson is one of the local TV news anchors. Plus, there’s an arts and crafts show, food and drink vendors, children’s activities, and more. Gates open at 4 p.m. No pets, coolers, umbrellas, etc. Fireworks begin about 9 p.m.
20. St. Petersburg’s Fourth of July Celebration
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (727) 892-5700
Description: Activities are held throughout the day at various venues. Children’s activities and live music are at North Straub Park beginning about 4 p.m. and WFLA’s listener’s party (www.970wfla.com) is at the Vinoy Park, also beginning about 4 p.m. The Pier (www.stpete-pier.com) and BayWalk Plaza (www.newBayWalk.com) each have music, street performers, and other activities throughout the day. Fireworks begin about 9 p.m., and anywhere along the water front is a good place to see them.
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
23. John’s Pass Seafood Festival
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (727) 391-6025 x303
Address: 150 John’s Pass Boardwalk
Description: The John’s Pass Seafood Festival honors the tons of fresh seafood caught by the commercial fishermen who make this their home port by hosting such activities as a fishing expo, an oyster-eating contest, and crab races. There is also a juried arts and crafts show that attracts artisans from around the region, a children’s Halloween costume contest and trick or treating from shop to shop, and non-stop live entertainment. So come for the sautéed scallops and grilled snapper. But plan to stay for a whole lot more. Admission is free. Park at Madeira Beach Middle School on the other side of the Madeira Beach Causeway and take the free shuttle to John’s Pass Village. At the north end of the village, there is a children’s activities area.
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 1900 South Park Rd.
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 701 Bayshore Dr. N.E.
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
27. H. B. Plant Historical Museum
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (813) 254-1891
Address: 401 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Description: The Henry B. Plant Museum in Tampa is well worth a visit any time of year. At Christmastime, however, the museum takes on an extra special holiday touch. From December 1 through 23, visitors to the museum enjoy a Victorian Christmas Stroll with rooms decorated to reflect an old-fashioned 19th-century Christmas. Carolers perform in the evening accompanied by period instruments, and complimentary spiced cider and cookies are served on the veranda. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger.