St. Petersburg • Clearwater 2008 - (Page 20) : go It doesn’t take much for someone in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area to throw a party. Here are some of the locals’ favorites. You can enjoy smaller arts events throughout the year. >>Top Area Events • Each February, Largo’s Heritage Village open-air museum hosts the Florida African American Heritage Festival. This day-long shindig spotlights African-American music, including Gospel, blues and reggae. The family-friendly event also offers storytelling, dance acts and historical exhibits. 727-582-2123 : FIND IT • • • The Festival of States runs for about two weeks each April, in a variety of venues throughout St. Petersburg. Highlights include concerts, a 5K run, an illuminated night parade and arts shows. 727-321-9888 Zoom in on the culture of a different country – Scotland – during the Dunedin Highland Games. The city celebrates its roots with a military tattoo featuring more than a dozen clans. 727-733-3197 The Tampa Bay Blues Festival is held in St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park for three days in late spring. Generally considered one of the nation’s best blues events, the festival serves up roughly five concerts daily, many by nationally known acts. Past years’ performers include Buddy Guy and Jimmy Vaughan. 727-502-5000 Chow down at The Taste of Pinellas, held the weekend after Memorial Day in Vinoy Park. More than 60 area restaurants – from Mexican and Italian to seafood and steaks – serve up sample dishes priced from $1 to $4. Cooking demonstrations, kids’ activities and a beer garden round out the event. 727-892-4193 Gulfport celebrates the end of summer with a Gecko Fest, a family-style Mardi Gras. Street performances, beach games and concerts all lead up to the Gecko Parade down Beach Boulevard. 727-893-1000 EVENTS can be searched by geographic area and date at www.FloridasBeach.com Tampa Bay Blues Festival. :ARTS (ALMOST) ANYTIME • • Outdoor Entertainment - Every third Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., Safety Harbor offers live entertainment at the town’s signature gazebo. Downtown shops and restaurants stay open late. Art Strolls - Organized strolls to art galleries are held regularly in St. Petersburg (every second Saturday, 5:30 to 9 p.m.) and Gulfport (first and third Fridays of each month, 6 to 10 p.m.). If you’re in a surreal mood, consider an in-depth look at the Salvador Dalí Museum. The first Saturday of each month sees Breakfast with Dalí, a meal and tour designed specifically for kids. Coffee with a Curator, held every first Wednesday, offers similar fun for grownups. ~LS • • The annual Taste of Clearwater is held each September in the Harborview Center. It features tastes from more than 60 area restaurants. 727-461-0011 Clearwater Jazz Holiday, held in Coachman Park for four days each October, offers free entertainment. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2009, this is one of the largest and longest-running free jazz concerts in the nation. Known for its innovative musicianship, the Jazz Holiday has hosted such greats as Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie and Tito Puente. 727-461-5200 • • Held in Oldsmar the last weekend in October, Oktoberfest serves up German food, drink and music, along with a carnival midway. 813-855-4233 Rockers visit Vinoy Park each November to take part in Ribfest. More than a dozen rib vendors show up, along with nationally known classic rock bands. Ancillary events include boat shows, motorcycle shows and a march by the Budweiser Clydesdales. 727-528-3828 ~Laura Spinale • • 20 : To p a r e a e v e n t s http://www.FloridasBeach.com
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