Oktoberfest, Tampa Boat Show: More Things To Do This Weekend

TAMPA, FL - Oktoberfest will dominate the downtown Tampa area this weekend as the festival of Gemutlichkeit returns for three days. Tampa’s downtown Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park will be transformed into the city’s largest beer garden. The 8th Annual Oktoberfest Tampa event will feature music, dancing, dirndls, lederhosen and even a German DJ.

As for other weekend activities, you could walk over to the Tampa Convention Center in downtown to see the latest in fishing boats and yachts at the Bay Area’s largest boat show. And in St. Petersburg, visitors to the Dali Museum on Saturday will get a reduced ticket deal of $10. One catch: the museum closes early at 2 p.m. because of a museum gala Saturday evening. Also, the Tampa Bay Lightning will hold a special anniversary event at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

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Thousands are expected at Oktoberfest Tampa, where a signature beer Oktoberfest Tampa Dunkel will once again be offered. The beer is a traditional style dunkel brewed by Coppertail Brewing. A variety of beers from traditional German Pils, a Wheat, the Dunkel and Oktoberfest märzens will all also be available, including firkins from Tampa Bay Brewing Company.

Festival-goers can participate in a wide range of free Bavarian games to win prizes. The challenges include: Stein Hoisting, Keg stacking, Tug-O-War, Brat Toss, Carry the Wench and more.

The festival begins at 4 p.m. Friday and continues through Sunday. The event begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tampa's streetcar service is free from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

Tickets are $10 each day or $25 for the weekend; 12 and younger free. The event is free for active or retired military and Tampa first responders. Show identification at the entry gate.

For more details, clickhere.


Tampa Boat Show

The 2017 Progressive Insurance Tampa Boat Show sets sail this weekend featuring the marine industry’s newest boats and accessories. Visitors to the boat show can view hundreds of boats from the region’s top dealers.

The event was originally scheduled for September, but was postponed because of Hurricane Irma. The boat show starts at 10 a.m. Friday at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 South Franklin St., and continues through Sunday. Adult tickets for ages 13 and older: $12; youth tickets for ages 12 and under: free (when accompanied by a paid adult).

“The Progressive Insurance Tampa Boat Show continues to showcase the latest innovations and trends to the Tampa market,” said Kevin Murphy, show manager. “We’re bringing the best of boating to Tampa, with interactive boating simulators, sailboats and mega yachts, stand-up paddleboarding and more.”

Lightning Anniversary Celebration

Join the original 1992-93 Lightning team in Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds for the 25th Anniversary Celebration at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 15. There will be kid activities, games, locker room tours, community hockey and more for fans to enjoy. Fans will also be able to get autographs and take photos with original team members.

Paul Kennedy will host and moderate interviews with the original team including Brian Bradley, Chris Kontos and Phil Esposito.

To request a free 25th Anniversary Ticket click here.

Enter via the US Highway 301 North Entrance. Parking: $6 Cars or $12 RV/Bus - cash only.

For more details visit the Tampa Bay Lightning Home Page here.

Dolphin Birthday Bash

There is still time to celebrate the birthdays of Winter and Hope, the dolphins at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Winter celebrated a 12th birthday on Tuesday and Hope had a 7th birthday Wednesday, but the aquarium will be holding a Birthday Bubble Bash each day until Monday, Oct. 16, according the the aquarium’s website.

Kids 12 and under who bring a birthday card for Winter and Hope will receive $9.99 admission.

Special Busch Gardens Deal For First Responders

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is honoring Florida first responders with free admission to the theme park through Nov. 24. First responders also get four discounted tickets for friends and family at half off the regular ticket price.

Qualifying first responders include:
· All Florida fire rescue first responders
· Florida emergency medical services employees (EMT/EMS)
· 911 dispatchers
· All Florida police and sheriff officers
· Florida Highway Patrol
· Florida Department of Corrections
· Florida Department of Law Enforcement
· Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission field officers
· Florida Forest Service Forest Rangers
· Florida Park Service law enforcement
· Department of Homeland Security law enforcement agents
· Florida Department of Environmental Protection law enforcement

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