St. Petersburg • Clearwater 2009 - (Page 21) By Laura Spinale June • The Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival in St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park offers performances by soca, calypso, reggae and steel bands. An art show, parade and Caribbean food round out the event. 727-434-4282 October • 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 July • Clearwater Celebrates America is one of the best of the region’s 4th of July celebrations. This two-day fest, held in the waterfront Coachman Park, serves up concerts ranging from rock to jazz to patriotic pops. Also enjoy food, fireworks. 727-562-4700 • Held in Oldsmar the last weekend in October, Oktoberfest features German food, drink and music, along with a carnival midway. 813-855-4233 • In addition to mountains of Florida fish, the John’s Pass Seafood Festival, held at the nautically themed John’s Pass Village, Madeira Beach, serves up fishing seminars and expos, live music, a beer tent, a children’s costume contest and other activities. 727-393-8230 August • 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 November • 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 car and motorcycle shows. 727-528-3828 • Bright Christmases are on offer with lighted boat parades sailing from late November through December in a variety of locales. These include St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach and Indian Shores. 877-352-3224 December • You can find sunset celebrations every night of the year at Clearwater’s Pier 60. During the holiday FantaSea of Lights, the site is ablaze with holiday lights, carolers sing, snow play-days are offered, street performers entertain and artisans sell their wares. 727-449-1036 September • 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 • Enjoy an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve with First Night St. Petersburg. Museums stay open late, 25 entertainment stages line city streets (with music, plays and skits geared toward kids and adults), arts-and-crafts activities are offered and fireworks blast at midnight. 727-823-8906 FIRST FRIDAY AND THIRD SATURDAY Gulfport Art Walks run along Beach Boulevard, 6 to 10 p.m. Arts vendors, live entertainment. Stores are open late – many serving snacks. 727-322-5217 THIRD FRIDAY At the Safety Harbor Music Series, live entertainment abounds around the town’s signature gazebo. Downtown shops, restaurants open late. 727-724-1572 FIRST SATURDAY Breakfast with Dalí gives kids ages 5-12 an age-appropriate tour of the Salvador Dalí Museum followed by a breakfast buffet. 727-823-3767 SECOND SATURDAY St. Petersburg Gallery Walk takes you on a tour of downtown venues spotlighting fine arts, crafts, antiques. Refreshments served. 727-821-6767 www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com 21 http://www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com
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