Weekend Things To Do: Tampa

Weekend Things To Do Around Tampa

This weekend is full of things to do for the whole family. From Dinos to cars and art, the Bay Area will be full of events to enjoy.

Feast With the Beasts. The Lowry Park Zoo is opening it’s new dine-around event on Saturday. Those 21 and older will get reserved access to the zoo’s private party yard where they can indulge in unlimited samplings from some of the Bay Area’s top restaurants, accented with an open bar of wine, specialty brews and craft cocktails. The most exciting feature of this new event will be the life-size dinosaurs. The zoo also has a special exhibit right now displaying towering dinosaurs that move, blink and roar. Feast With the Beasts will take place 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. Tickets start at $59.95 and $39.95 zoo members. The proceeds from this event will support animal care, education programs and wildlife conservation efforts. (813) 935-8552. lowryparkzoo.org/events.

Photo: AP Photo/Altaf Qadri

Car fans are in for a great weekend full of street rods and luxury cars.

At the Southeast Street Rod Nationals fans will get to see vintage autos from the ’40s and souped-up muscle cars from the ’50s and ’60s, manufacturer and dealer displays, a swap meet, model car show and “Women’s World” vendors. This show will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Tickets range from $6-$15. 4802 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. (901) 452-4030.

Festivals of Speed will come to Vinoy Park on Sunday. This show will exhibit a collection of more than 300 exotic cars, motorcycles and luxury brands. There will be on-site cafes, smooth jazz, wine tasting, cigars and luxury lifestyle displays. The show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. Tickets range from $20-$100. (353) 385-9450. festivalsofspeed.com.

Photo: gasparillaarts.com

The Gasparilla Fringe Festival returns on Friday to showcase multiple performing arts genres. The performances include theater, dance, spoken word, improv, comedy and carnival. You might also run across cheerleaders, steampunk pole dancers, belly dancers, and even a flash mob or two at the Tampa Museum of Art. The performances will run 6-10 p.m. on Friday. 120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. Tickets range from $25 to $60. (813) 739-4879. cltampa.com/gasp.