🌱 Philfest Returns To Tampa + Breeze Airways Adds New Routes To TPA

Hello, neighbors. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Patch newsletter — here to explain everything you need to know about what's happening in the community. In today's issue, you'll read about these stories and more...

• Breeze Airways has announced three new nonstop routes to and from Tampa.
• The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus will return to Tampa next year.
• Philfest will return on March 31 to celebrate Filipino food and culture.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 86 Low: 61.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Breeze Airways has announced three new nonstop routes from Tampa launching this summer. Stop include Hartford, Connecticut, Providence, Rhode Island, ad Portland, Main. Breeze is also now the presenting sponsor for ZooTampa's popular Macaw Flyover Wildlife Connection. (Tampa Patch)
2. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is returning to Tampa for its comeback tour in 2024. The circus will come to Tampa from Jan. 4 to Jan. 7 of 2024. Organizers said visitors should expect a different experience from the old circus. (Fox 13 Tampa)
3. FCC Environmental Services and Waste Management are seeking new contracts after over a year of delays in trash pickups and two emergency declarations in Polk County. Two other companies have introduced proposals for waste management business with the county. Polk County is also ending recycling pickup as part of the deal. (WFLA)
4. The old Gulf View Square Mall in Port Richey is increasingly being replaced by apartments as the population surges in the area. The next development aims to replace the old Sears at the mall. The Gables at Gulf View also opened in the area back in 2020. (ABC Action News)
5. Tampa's annual Philfest returns on March 31 and will run through April 2. Guests can enjoy delicious Filipino food, cultural performances, shops, and more. The festival will take place at Bayanihan Arts and Events Center located at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive. Tickets are now available. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• Coffee With Castor at The Westin Tampa Waterside. (9 a.m.)
• 1 Million Cups Tampa 2023 at Entrepreneur Collaborative Center. (9 a.m.)
• Philadelphia Phillies Vs. Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. (1:05 p.m.)
• New York Yankees Vs. Baltimore Orioles at George Steinbrenner Field. (1:05 p.m.)
• Cyber Night Skate at Skate World Tampa. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "QB Baker Mayfield knows a thing or two about learning a new offense, and he's ready to begin that process right away in Tampa. #GoBucs" (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "A lot has happened since they hung up the skates. ⚡️ Lightning alums Teddy Purcell and Ben Bishop join Greg on this week's episode of the Block Party. 📹: tbl.co/blockparty3-20" (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "THIS Saturday! 🏳️‍🌈 Celebrate love, individuality, and diversity at the Tampa Pride Parade. The parade starts at 4 p.m. and will march along 7th Ave. in Ybor. We hope to see you there! Event info: https://tampapride.org/parade-2/." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Tampa International Airport shared: "Visit our booth at the Tampa Pride Street Festival this Saturday, March 25, to enter our sweepstakes for a chance to win roundtrip flights. Find us at the corner of 15th and 8th Ave." (Tampa International Airport via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tampa Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com