Tampa Pride + Tax Holidays + Beat Bobby Flay + City Updates

Good morning and Happy Saturday! Welcome to our new Patch newsletter serving the Tampa area. My name is Carlos Hernandez and I'll be keeping you updated on the latest news on what is happening around town each morning. Now, let's get started.

In this edition of our newsletter, you'll find information on Tampa Pride, an update on Tampa's Citizen's Review Board, a Food Network chef battle, and info on new routes at Tampa International Airport.

Today’s weather: The high today is 91 and the low is 65 with partly cloudy skies.

Here are the top 5 stories happening around Tampa:

1) 60,000 people are expected this weekend in Ybor City for Tampa Pride. This is one of the first big events to happen in the city since the pandemic began and the first event for Pride in the country. The main event is Saturday, but crowds are expected all weekend long. (Patch)

2) Tampa’s City Council approved a new citizens review board ordinance in a 5-2 vote, but Mayor Jane Castor is not happy that the ordinance gives the council more power than the mayor’s office. The changes to the board began in response to protests after the death of George Floyd and protests last summer. (Bay News 9)

3) Il Ritorno Chef David Benstock from St. Petersburg “Beat Bobby Flay” on the Food Network. He joins others including Tampa Chef Rosana Rivera in beating the celebrity chef. (Tampa Bay Times)

4) Governor Ron DeSantis signed multiple tax holidays into law including the annual back to school tax holiday, an extension on the disaster preparedness sales tax holiday, and a new “Freedom Week” that makes items such as concert, movie tickets, and tickets to state parks tax-free. (WFLA)

5) A new airline called Breeze Airways launched 10 routes at Tampa International Airport. Flights are now on sale and start at $39 for one way flights. (ABC Action News)

Today in Tampa:

• Tampa Pride 2021 Street Festival in Ybor City. Food trucks will be selling food and the festivities will run most of the day. (10:45 a.m.)
• Grand Cathedral Cigars Grand Opening located inside a historic Tampa church. Sure to be a fun time for cigar aficionados in cigar city. (12 p.m.)
• Saturday Rosé All Day with Deville at WTR Pool at Godfrey Tampa. Enjoy music by the pool at WTR, food, and drinks all day long on the water. It sure feels like summer again. (12 p.m.)
• Level Up Saturday’s at Park & Rec Tampa. Spend all day eating and drinking in Downtown Tampa near Sparkman Wharf with arcade games, beer pong, drink specials, and more. (12 p.m.)
• Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena in Downtown Tampa. The battle continues to defend Tampa’s title. (12:30 p.m.)
• Land on Your Feet Jazz Festival at Water Works Park. Enjoy an outdoor event in Tampa Heights with food, drinks, and smooth jazz music. (2 p.m.)
• Tampa Pride Diversity Parade. If you want to catch the Pride parade, it starts in the late afternoon. (4 p.m.)
• Evening on the Lake at Old McMicky’s Farm in Odessa. Enjoy live music and dancing with guests welcome to bring their own food and beverages. (6 p.m.)
• Tampa Pride at Night Concert. The Cuban Club in Ybor City will be throwing a concert and after parade festivities for Tampa Pride. (6 p.m.)
• Pre-Summer Poolside Silent Party at Aloft Tampa. Let the summer festivities begin with a silent disco in Downtown Tampa. (7 p.m.)

Tampa Patch Notebook:

• There is a GoFundMe up for the 15 year old girl who was tragically killed by a drunk driver on Gandy.
• The unemployment rate rose to 4.8% in Florida, but so did jobs and workers and the state is still below the national average. Over 487,000 are unemployed.
• Paradeco Coffee Roasters is opening their doors in Downtown St. Pete after teasing users for months on social media.
• Stephanie Hayes from the Tampa Bay Times went inside the old 4th Street Melting Pot in St. Pete chasing haunted vibes.

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That's all for today. I will be back tomorrow with the latest happening in Tampa. My inbox is open if you have any tips to send or want to reach out: tampadaily@patch.com

-Carlos Hernandez

About me: I have lived in Florida since 1999 and covered the Tampa area for nearly 10 years, mainly with a focus on food through my blog at CarlosEats.com.