7 Cheap Things To Do In Tampa Bay This Weekend

SARASOTA, FL — Finding new and interesting things to do over the weekend can be tough. Finding things to do on a budget can be even tougher. Fortunately, Patch has you covered!

Here’s a roundup of ideas from across Tampa Bay of free or cheap activities you might want to check out the weekend of Aug. 11-13:

Catch A Live Show

If live theatrical performances are a passion, Sarasota might be the place to go this weekend for a real classic. The Players Theatre’s rendition of “Arsenic and Old Lace” continues the weekend of Aug. 11-13 at 838 N. Tamiami Trail. Tickets cost $18. To find out more about the show and tickets, check out the play’s online listing.

Take Your Dog Out To A Ballgame

If you love baseball and dogs, Bradenton is the place to be on Friday as the Marauders go up against the Charlotte Stone Crabs. Fans are invited to bring their (well-behaved, licensed pups) to the park for an extra $2 “Bark Badge.” Money raised during the game, which starts at 6:30 p.m., benefits the Manatee County Humane Society. Regular ticket prices start at $6 for left field bleachers. Check out more details about the game at Lecom Park, 1611 Ninth St. W. on Realize Bradenton.

Experience The Arts

St. Pete’s Second Saturday Artwalk takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. The event includes after-hours access to more than 40 galleries and studios across five different arts districts within the city. To make the fun more accessible, free trolleys are available to transport arts lovers to the different districts. Check out more details, on Visit St. Pete Clearwater.

Go Shopping On Pierce Street

Check out Clearwater’s waterfront while exploring goods offered by more than 100 vendors and food trucks during this Saturday, Aug. 12 event under the Memorial Causeway Bridge. The market is open the second Saturday of each month in the summer from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more details, visit its website.

Tap Into Your Inner Hippie

Tarpon Springs is rolling out all the stops for its annual Hippie Fest on Saturday, Aug. 12. The free event takes place from 2 to 10 p.m. on the Sponge Docks off Dodecanese Boulevard. Live entertainment, a VW Bug show, hippie costume contest and other activities are planned. Musical acts lined up are Jericho Turnpike, Bob Hope and the Black Honkeys. To find out more, check out the Sponge Docks website.

Race A Rubber Duck

The Incredible Duck Race is set to take place on the Hillsborough River Saturday, Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. More than 5,000 rubber ducks are expected to enter the race with the first three crossing the finish line winning cash prizes. The unusual race is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Tampa to benefit its children’s programs. In addition to the race, family friendly music, food and other activities are planned at Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive. Check out more details on the Kiwanis website.

Go Antiquing

The Bartow Antiques & Collectibles Market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 12. The monthly event features retro items, collectibles, vintage pieces and more. It takes place at 200 E. Main St. Entry is free, but goodies to bring home will require some cash. For more details, check out Main Street Bartow online.

Know of other cheap or free events in the Tampa Bay area? Be sure to share them by commenting below!

Patch file photo