5 Top Events Happening In Tampa Bay This Weekend

TAMPA BAY, FL — Here are the top events happening around Tampa Bay this weekend:

SharkCon

SharkCon returns to the Florida State Fairgrounds July 16 and 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a showing and meet-and-greet with cast members of "Jaws 2," more than 100 ocean-themed vendors, free activities for kids, speakers from Shark Week, National Geographic's Sharkfest and Animal Planet, and indoors scuba diving with professionals, hosted by Trilogy Dive Center.

Local groups including the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Tampa Bay Watch, the Marine Life Rescue Project and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Association will take part as well.

Tickets are $5.95 to $39.95. Click here.

Tampa Bay Rodeo And Family Festival

Back by popular demand, the Tampa Bay Rodeo and Family Festival will gallop back into the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Road, Dover, Friday and Saturday, July 15 and 16, from 5 to 8 p.m., with two nights of bull-riding, barrel-racing, games and food.
Young cowpokes can sign up on-site to compete in the popular mutton bustin'. There will also be face painting, an interactive barnyard in which kids can pet and feed the critters, camel rides, an inflatable slide, ring toss, giant Jenga, bean bag toss and pony rides.

Each night, there will be pre-rodeo challenges including riding the mechanical bull and axe-throwing, and live country music by Randy McNeeley Friday night and Angie Rey Saturday night in the Bud Light Beer Barn from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m., following by the EBA-sanctioned rodeo presented by 5S Bucking Bulls.

There will be about 40 men and women competing in the rodeo events.

Food will include barbecue pulled pork sandwiches and ribs, corn dogs, fried Oreos, turkey legs, tacos, kettle corn, funnel cakes, chicken and steak kabobs, roasted corn, fried pickles, grilled cheese, roasted veggies, giant pork chops and more.

Wash it down with beer, soda, iced tea and lemonade.

Tickets are $25. Click here.

Metrocon

Metrocon, Florida’s largest anime convention, comes to the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St., Tampa, Friday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

It includes costume contests, autograph sessions, panel discussions, film screenings, games and meet-and-greets.

Click here for tickets

Tampa Biggest Birthday Bash

Tampa turns 135 and residents are invited to celebrate at Tampa's Biggest Birthday Bash Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Water Works Park, 1710 N Highland Ave., Tampa.

The free event interactive exhibits, games, prizes, live entertainment, food trucks and more.

There will be goody bags for the first 100 families, party favors and giveaways.

Click here.

Tampa Bay Ice Cream Festival

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with a cold treat at the St. Pete Pier Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Courtyard at the Bay, 800 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg.

There will be more than a dozen vendors serving their best creations from soft-served, craft scoop ice cream, gelatos and popsicles. Be the judge and vote for the first ever the Best Ice Cream in Tampa Bay award winner.

Click here.