GET OUT: Weekend Events Preview March 8-9

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend.

Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit.

FishHawk Ranch Road Race

The FishHawk Ranch Road Race is back for a 16^th year with a new “Twilight Run.” The annual 5K race and 1-mile kids’ fun run will take place Saturday, March 9 beginning at 5 p.m. at Park Square in FishHawk Ranch.

Beginner and seasoned runners can register for the race at www.fishhawkranch.com. 

The post-race party features music, giveaways, food and refreshments for all participants.

Empty Bowls Event

ECHO will host its first Empty Bowls event Saturday, March 9.

For $15, attendees will be able to sample soups from a variety of local restaurants to raise funds for the Brandon Emergency Care Help Organization, a nonprofit that provides food and clothing to residents facing emergency needs.

In keeping with the theme of the event, the soup will be accompanied by bread and water.

The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Winthrop Pole Barn, 11349 Bloomingdale Ave., Riverview. The first 200 people attending will receive a hand-crafted clay bowl created by local elementary students.

Benefit Garage Sale/Car Wash

Boy Scouts of America Venture Crew 811 is holding its annual garage sale and car wash fundraising event Saturday, March 9 starting at 9 a.m. at Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale, 710 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon. Venturing is a Boy Scout program consisting of boys and girls from 14 to 21 years of age.

Community Yard Sale

There will be a community yard to raise funds for Relay for Life Saturday, March 9 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Brandon Montessori School at River Hills, 4223 Lynx Paw Trail, Valrico.

Fish Fry

The St. Stephen Men's Club is hosting its annual Lenten Fish Fry Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. during Lent at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Rd., Valrico. Meals include fish or shrimp, fries and cole slaw. Cheese pizza and fries will be available for kids. Eat-in, takeout and drive-through is available. Call 813-689-4900.

Exploring History

Children age 5 to 12 are invited to a Historical Exploration event Saturday, March 9 at 3:30 p.m. at the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico.

When two tourists discover a treasure chest full of historical artifacts, they are magically transported back in time in a fun-filled journey through Florida history. The audience will laugh and learn about Ponce De Leon, the settlement of Pensacola, the discovery of St. Augustine, and the original Pocahontas story.

Participants can pick up a free ticket at the Ask Me Kiosk after 2:30 p.m.

Pig-a-Palooza

The Valrico Rotary Club will host its second annual Pig-a-Palooza March 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rotary's Camp Florida, 1915 Camp Florida Rd., Brandon.

The cost is $25 for adults and includes pulled and sliced pork, chicken, sausage, baked beans, cole slaw, taters and bread. Tickets for military and first-responders are $20 and tickets for children age 13 to 18 are $5. Children under 12 eat free with the donation of a nonperishable food item.

In addition to the food, the event will include music, beer, a bouncy house and games.

St. Puppy's Day

O'Brien's Irish Pub, 701 W. Lumsden Rd., Brandon, will host its seventh annual St. Puppy's Day celebration Saturday, March 9 from 3 to 7 p.m. Residents are invited to dress their dogs in Gaillic green for a puppy parade and show for all ages.