Weekend Events: Ren Fest, Strawberries and Jazz

Hoping to get out of the house and have a little fun this weekend?

There’s no shortage of things going on around the Tampa Bay region as the weekend of Feb. 27-March 1 gets under way. Here are just a few options:

Go Back in Time

The Bay Area Renaissance Festival at MOSI continues its annual run this weekend with plenty of historical-themed fun. This weekend’s theme is the Buccaneer Beer Fest. Gate admission is $19.95 for adults or $16.95 in advance. The cost for children ages 5 to 12 is $11.95 at the gate or $8.95 in advance.

To find out more about the Tampa tradition, visit its website.

Visit King Strawberry

It’s strawberry season, which means there are plenty of reasons to party in Plant City. The annual Strawberry Festival, in fact, celebrates its first weekend of the season this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Gates open for the festival daily at 10 a.m. For more information, check out this previous Patch story.

Check out a Regatta

The sixth annual Sarasota Invitational Regatta takes place Feb. 28-March 1 at Nathan Benderson Park. The event is hosted by the Sarasota County Rowing Club. For more details, visit the regatta’s website.

Explore the Arts

The Sarasota Rotary Art Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at City Island, 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway. Now in its third year, the juried arts and crafts show features more than 60 artists. For more details, visit the event online.

Check Out the Orange Blossom Festival

Not to be outdone by strawberries, Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton is playing host to its Orange Blossom Festival Saturday and Sunday. The event takes place at 2525 27th St. E. in Bradenton from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Entry is $3 per person or $5 for two.

The Wallenda Troupe plans to perform both days and there will also be a car show, live musical performances and more. Check out more details on the Mixon Farms website.

Eat Some Chili

The 10th annual Grand Central District Chili Cookoff takes place Saturday at the corner of Central Avenue and 18th Street in St. Petersburg. Admission is free, but chili tasting tickets cost $20 on the day of the event. The fun runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more details, visit the event’s website.

Catch a Ball Game

The Philadelphia Phillies kick off Spring Training at Clearwater’s Bright House field Sunday, March 1 with a 1:05 p.m. game against the university of Tampa. Tickets are available on the Phillies’ website.

Listen to Some Jazz

The Wesley Chapel Jazz Fest takes place Saturday at 7728 Boyette Road from noon until 8 p.m. While the event is free, visitors are asked to bring a chair or blanket to sit on. Food vendors will be on site, as well, and entertainment for the kids is planned. Check out more details on the event’s website.

Keep in mind, this is just a sampling of events from around the Bay. If you know of another event going on this weekend folks should check out, tell us about it by commenting below!

Image from the Bay Area Renaissance Festival’s Facebook page

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