MacDill Happenings

Usually Diner’s Reef is only available to active military personnel at MacDill AFB, but on Thanksgiving Day it is open to anyone with a military ID including military retirees. There will be a great selection of all the traditional Thanksgiving items at a great price! It is great way to enjoy a meal with friends and family. If you haven’t been to a military chow hall in a long time you’ll be greatly surprised at how it looks just like a regular restaurant!

From 5:45am to 8am, there is a Continental Breakfast available with assorted dry cereals, pastries, breads and juices.

From 10:30am to 6pm, a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner will be served.

If you not sure where Diner’s Reef is located on MacDill AFB, it is Number 15 on this map.

On Thanksgiving Day, the Bayshore Club will offer a buffet from 11a to 2pm. Besides the traditional turkey and ham, there will be Baron of Beef, seafood and variety of breakfast items. Of course all the usually sides including mashed potatos, rice, mixed vegetables will be served. Make sure you leave room for desert!

Reservations are required and can be made at 828-4756. The cost for members is $16.95, non-members pay $16.95 and children 6-12 yrs pay $8.95.

Take the family for a fun time of bowling at MacDill Lanes. On Sundays for $20, the Family Special is available and includes 2 games each, shoes, 1 large pizza and a pitcher of soda!

MacDill Lanes is open from 1pm to 8pm on Sundays. It is located near the MacDill Gym and Arts and Craft Center.

If you are not sure where MacDill Lanes is located at on the base, it is Number 10 on this map.

This Sunday, November 18th, the Gasparilla Film Festival is having their 2nd annual Children’s Day at Hyde Park Village! They will be having children activities from 3-6 pm, including a PBS origami artist, Leonor Rosser, huge inflatables, face painting, children’s yoga, food and FREE music CDs from Putumayo Kids.

From 6-8pm, The Polar Express will be playing for free!

This Saturday Nov 17th from 10am to 5pm, Ybor City will be host to the Tampa Cigar Heritage Festival. This festival celebrates Ybor’s legacy and heritage, and highlights a time when Ybor City ws considered the cigar capital of the world.

Participants will be educated on the art of making cigars, as well as cultural and music demonstrations.

Proceeds from this festival will go to the Ybor City Museum Society.

The Wiggles a popular children’s group will be appearing at the St. Pete Forum on Nov. 17th. The ITT office at MacDill is offering $3.00 off lower level tickets, all other tickets will be available at the St. Pete times McDonald’s ticket booth or through Ticketmaster outlets.

The show times are 1:30 and 5pm. For more information call the ITT office at (813) 828-2478.

For a great place for seafood, burgers, sandwiches and chicken, try Taste of Boston at the Ballast Point Park! You might have a little bit of a wait during the weekends, but the wait is definitely worth it! This restaurant is very conveniently located to MacDill AFB. If you go out the Bayshore Gate at MacDill, it is about a 5 min drive. The Taste of Boston is the in the building right at the start of the Ballast Point Park fishing pier. There is also a bait shop connected to the restaurant. Of course, the 960 foot pier is a great place for fishing. The pier is open 24hrs a day.

Grab the current edition of the MacDill Thunderbolt newspaper and inside there is a 10% discount coupon for Home Depot good until 14 Nov. The coupon can be used at any Home Depot. It is great opportunity to save on those little or those big purchases!

Golden Corral will honor the US Military veterans with a free “thank you” dinner and beverage at any Golden Corral restaurant on Military Appreciation Monday on 12 Nov. In the Tampa area, there are restaurants located in Tampa, Brandon, and Temple Terrace.

The Military Appreciation meal is from 5pm to 9pm only.

Try out the great food at Shane’s Rib Shack in Riverview in the Winthrop Towne Centre! It is located at the corner of Bloomingdale Ave and Providence Rd. Just show your Active Duty Military ID and get a great discount.

The ribs are yummy and there are lots of sides to choose from!

Hours are Mon-Sat 11am to 10pm and Sun 11am to 9pm.