MacDill Happenings

Tropicana Field in St. Pete is the location for the Pinellas County Fair from 28 March to 1 April. The fair is open from 5pm to 11pm during the week. On Saturday, hours are 1pm to 11pm and on Sunday, hours are 1pm to 10pm. The Midway will have more than 50 carnival rides including a giant Ferris wheel. There will be live music on three stages and of course fair food like deep fried twinkies and funnel cakes! Regular admission is $6 for ages above 13, and $5 for ages 12 to 5. Today, Pinellas County Students get in free and wristbands for the unlimited Midway rides are $20 every night. On Thursday, rides are only $2 each. Ride Tickets for $1.00 and each ride takes 2-6 tickets. The Banana Derby which is monkeys racing on dogs will take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 6pm & 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2, 4, 6 & 8 pm. On the 28th, country singer George Marshall will perform at 7pm. Following George Marshall, St. Pete based rock band Talk to Mark will be on stage at 9pm. The Randy McNeeley Band will perform on Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Tropicana Field is home to the Tampa Bay Rays and located in downtown St. Pete. St. Petersburg more popularly known locally at St. Pete is across the bay from MacDill AFB and about a 20 minute drive from the base. With an average of some 360 days of sunshine each year, it is nicknamed “The Sunshine City.” Downtown St. Pete is vibrant place to live and socialize with many museums and a great nightlife destination.

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The 38th annual Lakeland Sun-n-Fun Fly-In at the Linder Regional Airport starts today and runs until Sunday. This event is the second largest convention of its kind. The 2012 SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo will attract an estimated 150,000 to 170,000 visitors from North America and more than 80 other countries, distinguishing it as the largest convention in the state of Florida and the first major international aviation event of the year in the Americas. Lakeland Linder Regional Airport is about a 40 min drive from MacDill AFB. The Sun-n-Fun participants include aircraft owners who fly their own planes to this event including vintage, home built and restored military aircraft.  The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will be the highlight of the show this year. The Thunderbirds will have practices and performances Thursday through Sunday. The USMC Concert Band from Parris Island will perform on Tuesday, March 27, 8pm concert in the SUN ‘n FUN Pavilion and provide a great evening of patriotic music  There will be many static displays of aircraft including vintage military aircraft. There are more than 500 commercial exhibits. There is a Parts Exchange (PX) if you are looking for something for your plane or want to cosign some parts for sale. There will be daily airshows. There are over 400 educational seminars and forums. There is nightly entertainment with a night airshow on Friday. Admission is $35 for a daily adult ticket. However during the weekend, military members can get in for $30. Children 12 and younger are free the entire event.

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Just in time for baseball’s spring training, the Capitol Theatre will present the classic 1988 baseball movie “Bull Durham“. The movie starts at 3pm and is shown again at 7pm. The film stars Kevin Costner as “Crash” Davis, a veteran catcher brought in to teach rookie pitcher Ebby Calvin “Nuke” LaLoosh (Tim Robbins) about the game in preparation for reaching the Major Leagues. Baseball groupie Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon) romances Nuke but finds herself increasingly attracted to Crash. Bull Durham was a commercial success, grossing over $50 million in North America, and was a critical success as well. Sports Illustrated ranked it the #1 Greatest Sports Movie of all time. Tickets are only $5. Constructed and established in 1921 as the Capitol Theatre (Royalty Theatre 1982-2008), this classic structure located in downtown Clearwater on Cleveland Blvd, complete with a large mezzanine and furnishings reminiscent of a classic Hollywood theater, is one of the oldest operating theatres in the state of Florida. The Capitol Theatre reportedly had its beginnings as a vaudeville theater and movie house, and was once the home of famous headliners who displayed their legendary talents (making history in the process) on the polished wood planks of the Capitol’s stage. In its hey-day, the walls of this famed theatre housed many of the best entertainers in the world.

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Today the Tampa Bay Seafood Festival continues in downtown Tampa at Curtis Hixon Park. This free event runs from 11am to 8pm today. Come out for the free music, peruse unique offerings from local artisans, and for a small fee tryout the great tasting seafood! Popular Tampa Bay based Mo’ Gravy will be performing from 11am to 1:30pm with their unique acoustic offering that focuses on arrangements and vocal harmonies that allows the audience to enjoy the beauty of the song and the music together. The Shakes Society, a Tampa-based rock, reggae, ska & alternative band, will be on stage from 2pm to 4:30pm. Florida native rock band, The Bobby Friss Band, will be playing from 5pm to 8pm. This festival is sponsored by the Davis Islands Chamber of Commerce with all the proceeds from the event going to the Friends of Tampa Recreation and designated for the Aquatics Programs. The beautiful Curtis Hixon Park is located on the waterfront in downtown Tampa along Ashley St between the Tampa Museum of Art and the Sykes building. If you’re not a fan of seafood, then food is available at nearby restaurants including Five Guys Hamburger across the street from the Park and a new nearby Mexican restaurant Urban Cantina located at the corner of Madison and South Tampa. Alcohol is not allowed but well behaved pets are! Curtis Hixon Park has a fenced animal park along the water. This park is one of nicest parks in Tampa. With an interactive playground, wide open flat grass play area, a view of the University of Tampa, and cooling water fountains, this is a great place to relax on during a Tampa evening. Parking is available at the Curtis Hixon parking garage or at nearby public parking lots. But be prepared for traffic, because this is a popular event. If you’re lucky, you can get a parking spot in front of Five Guys Hamburgers right across the street from the Park at the corner of Ashley and Polk.

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The Annual Hyde Park Village Art Fair starts today.   The event runs from 10am to 5pm.  Admission is free! More than 150 exhibitors displaying a wide range of art’s from life-size sculptures, spectacular paintings, one-of-a-kind jewels, photography, ceramics, and much more make for one fun weekend. This fair gives you the unique opportunity to meet the creators of the art on display; commission a specific piece; ask questions about techniques; learn the sources of their inspirations; and purchase fine works of art at affordable prices. All of the work on display is available for purchase, and with prices ranging from $15 earrings to $50 prints to $20,000 sculptures, there is always something for everyone. Hyde Park Village is an open-air shopping center located in the neighborhood of Hyde Park.   The weather should cooperate and so come out and enjoy strolling around the Village.  The Village center is situated in several buildings located between Swann and Rome Avenues. Although are national retailers, the majority of tenants in the center are independent boutiques and eateries. The neighborhood of Hyde Park is located near the University of Tampa and close to Tampa’s business and cultural arts district. The boundaries of the neighborhood include the Hillsborough Bay to the east, Kennedy Blvd to the north, historic and picturesque Bayshore Boulevard to the south, and Armenia Avenue to the west. Major thoroughfares within the historical district include Kennedy Boulevard, Bayshore Boulevard, Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, Howard Avenue, and Swann Avenue. There are 3 free parking structures available in Hyde Park.

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Get ready for the sights and sounds of world-class Grand Prix race cars on the streets of downtown St Pete from Friday to Sunday. The 8th annual Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is run on a 1.8-mile, 14-turn waterfront circuit that includes a combination of adjacent downtown streets circling Pioneer Park, the Mahaffey Theatre and extending onto runways at Albert Whitted Airport that overlook the Bay and St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina. The main event will once again be the running of the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Firestone Indy Lights. There will be 6 different series’ running which include the IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, Star Mazda, USF2000, Pirelli World Challenge and the Ferrari Challenge. There should be 175 cars on- track during the 3-day event. In addition to world-class racing, the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg features a number of interactive activities for race fans in the Bright House Speed Zone and concerts on the stage in the Honda Plaza. The Bright House Networks Speed Zone is located near Turns 5 & 6 and the Firestone Bridge. Tickets prices range from $45 to $125 depending on the event and date. Parking is available on local streets as well as the many public garages in downtown. Events hours on Friday are 8am – 6pm, Saturday 8am – 6pm and Sunday from 8am – 6 pm. Gate 1 is located at 1st Avenue S. and 1st Street S., and offers on-site ticket sales. Gate 5 is located at 5th Avenue S. and 2nd Street N., and offers on-site ticket sales. Gate 5 also houses the Will Call ticket window.

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The City of Oldsmar is holding its 51st Annual Oldsmar Days from 23-25 March. Held at R.E. Olds Park, admission and parking is free so don’t have to spend any money before you get in on the fun! The event features fiery foods, collector cars, classic rock music, a great carnival, parade,and dozens of vendors. Friday hours are 5pm to 11pm. On Saturday, hours are 11am to 11pm. On Sunday, hours are noon to 7pm. The City of Oldsmar sits on the Eastern edge of Pinellas County at the Northern end of Tampa Bay. The raw essence of old Florida has been well preserved in Oldsmar. There is a small town feel augmented by a feeling of space. The city is thoughtfully planned with the streets fanning out from Shore Drive along Tampa Bay. Many houses both new and old, grand and modest, sit on large treed lots. The main street in town is State Street, home to City Hall, the Library, and the fire station. Park Boulevard stretches from City Hall on State Street to R. E. Olds Park located on the edge of the sparkling waters of Old Tampa Bay. The view of the bay is spectacular from Shore Drive. Much of the shore line is undeveloped parkland and is a gentle reminder of the incredible natural beauty that remains in some parts of Florida. The Tampa Bay Downs racetrack is just outside the city limits. A new downtown is being developed which its promoters hope will bring back the “old Florida” feel to the city. Oldsmar is about a 40 minute drive from MacDill AFB.

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To celebrate the Honda Grand Prix taking place this weekend, St. Pete is hosting the Grand Prix Illuminated Night Parade on Thursday 22 March. Although the Grand Prix started in 2003 in St. Pete, the Illuminated Night Parade has been held since 1969. The Suncoasters of St. Petersburg, Inc. are in charge of setting up the parade. The Suncoasters is an non-profit civic organization of volunteer business leaders who donate their time and money to produce events to honor the City of St. Petersburg and to raise funds to provide scholarships and financial support for youth education in arts and music. There will be floats, krewes, marching bands, neighborhood associations, dance troupes and the Grand Prix drivers in their show cars to celebrate the official start of the Grand Prix Race Weekend. For the 30th year, the 500-member Second Time Arounders Marching Band will marching in the parade. Following the parade, there will be a fireworks show at North Straub Park. The parade starts at Central Avenue and 5th Street and travels east on Central Avenue, then heads north on 2nd Street, then heads east on 1st Ave North, then north on Beach Drive to 5th Avenue North. All downtown parking garages will be open to the public. Parking is available at Baywalk Garage and the South Core Garage on 1st Avenue South. Handicap Parking will be available on the South side of 5th Avenue, East of Bayshore Drive. All seating is first-come, first-served.

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If your looking for exercise, good friends and good beer, then the Running for Brews running club is for you! Running for Brews is social running club that looks forward to delicious craft beers after a fun run. Runners can choose their distance with some runners going 5k and others going 10 miles. It’s an individual choice, but the group has a wide range of runners with various abilities and goals. So don’t think that you have to be an Olympic marathon runner in training to join. Just get out and join the group! Most runners don’t drink beer before a run and not all runners drink beer after a run. But it is really a great social group that everyone can enjoy. There are two clubs in South Tampa, one in Dunedin and one in St. Pete. The South Tampa club hosted by MacDinton’s is having a Tuesday run today that will run around historic and beautiful Hyde Park. The run starts at 7pm and it starts and ends at MacDinton’s. The boundaries of South Tampa include the Hillsborough Bay to the east, Kennedy Blvd to the north, historic and picturesque Bayshore Boulevard to the south, and Armenia Avenue to the west. Major thoroughfares within the historical district include Kennedy Boulevard, Bayshore Boulevard, Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, Howard Avenue, and Swann Avenue. In South Tampa, the 4.5 miles of the world’s longest continuous sidewalk exists along Bayshore Boulevard and Hillsborough Bay in South Tampa. There is a 10-foot-wide sidewalk starts on the north at Columbus Statue Park and ends at Gandy Boulevard. A 3-mile, on-road bike lane extends along the north-bound lane of Bayshore Boulevard between Rome Avenue and Gandy Boulevard. This linear park, and Bayshore Greenway Trail, has some of the most scenic views in Tampa. On Bayshore, there are benches, a water fountain, bicycle parking, a city marina and fitness stations. MacDill AFB is located on the southern end of South Tampa.

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Come out the the Bay Palms Golf Complex at MacDill AFB for free “Gravity” golf lessons. The free lessons will take place from noon to 1:30pm. Gravity Golf is a training system that will enable someone to learn an effortless and consistent power source in their swing. David Lee, the developer of the Gravity Golf system, will be teaching. But don’t forget about playing on MacDill! On Mondays and Wednesdays after 1pm, you can golf for only $15. For E-1 to E-4, the cost is only $11.25. During March, 3 guests and 1 military member can play for $125 including cart. On Saturdays and Sundays, the special is available after 11am. There is a twilight special after 2:30pm that includes green fees and a cart where E1-E4 pay $11, E5-O3 pay $15, O4 and up pay $16 and guests pay $18 for 18 holes of golf. There is a kids clinic on Saturday mornings from 8:30am to 9:30am that only costs $3. The Pro Shop is having a golf club liquidation sale on all in stock clubs. The Pro Shop is stocked with all the latest clubs, bags, ball, gloves, shoes and clothing. Of course you don’t pay tax so you save even more than you would out in town! There is a golf club liquidation sale going this month on all the in stock clubs, so stop by for the best prices and deals around! The Bay Palms Golf Complex was named ‘Best Golf Program in the Air Force’ for 2002. There are two 18-hole, par 72 courses. The challenging South Course runs along the bay. The North Course offers a prefect opportunity to work on your game. The complex has a lighted practice putting green, a 24-hour-a-day lighted driving range where a bucket of balls is only $1, a practice chipping green and sand trap areas. The clubhouse has an excellent pro shop with a great friendly staff ready to help you. During the month of June, there is a golf club liquidation sale going on all in stock clubs. The snack bar serves a great variety of food and has an especially nice breakfast menu!

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