Beatles Vs. Stones, State Fair, Cupid's Undie Run: FL Weekend Events

TAMPA BAY, FL — Looking for something fun to do this weekend in the Tampa Bay area? There’s something for every interest — the Tampa Bay Chocolate Festival, the Florida State Fair, a fundraiser for Tampa Bay Watch and the Gulfport Fine Art Festival.

Lunch with the Fishes: Savor the Bay

Tampa Bay Watch hosts its Lunch with the Fishes: Savor the Bayfundraising event Friday, 1 p.m., at the RumFish Grill at Tradewinds Resorts in St. Pete Beach. Attendees will enjoy cocktails and a four-course lunch with wine pairings while learning about the organization’s on-going initiatives and mission. Tickets are $150 per person.

Gulfport Fine Art Festival

This juried fine art and contemporary craft festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Gulfport’s Veterans Park, 5350 31st Ave. S. This intimate, boutique fine art festival offers free parking and trolley service, and offers food for sale and musical entertainment throughout the weekend.

Florida State Fair

The annual state fair kicks off Thursday at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa and runs through Feb. 20. The annual event offers plenty of family friendly fun – including fried food, a carnival midway and endless entertainment of all kinds – and also showcases agricultural competitions, arts and crafts, and the Cracker Country living history museum.

Bridge A Life Superhero 5K Race

This foster care awareness event takes place Saturday morning at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota. Sign the kids up for the family-friendly 1-mile fun run starting at 8:30 a.m. The 5K race kicks off at 9 a.m.

Runners are encouraged to come dressed as a superhero. Awards will be given for fastest runners — as well as the top three in each age group, male and female - team spirit and best costumers.

Sant’ Yago Knight Parade

The Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago hosts its annual Knight Parade Saturday at 7 p.m. along 7th Avenue in Ybor City. The event, which features more than 100 local organizations, is the largest illuminated night parade in the South.

The 2023 parade grand marshal will be Florida Sports Hall of Fame baseball player, Tampa native and Jefferson High School graduate Luis “Gonzo” Gonzalez.

Tampa Bay Chocolate Festival

This sweet chocolate festival returns to Gulf View Square in Port Richey just in time for Valentine’s day. The event – this year, the “Sweet & Spicy Edition” is being presented – takes place Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All participating food vendors will stick with a chocolate theme – with some fiery dishes as well. There will also be non-food vendors and musical entertainment throughout the day.

Cupid’s Undie Run

Every February, thousands of runners in cities all across the U.S. strip down to their undies — both in-person or virtually — to support those affected by NF, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and affects 1 in every 3,000 births.

In St. Pete, this year’s Cupid’s Undie Run takes place Saturday at noon, kicking off at Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill, 1320 Central Ave., with drinking and dancing. Then, participants jog it out with a mile(ish) run and end the event with another dance party.

Valentine Night Market

The Valentine Night Market features more than 100 vendors lined up on N. Kentucky Avenue in Lakeland from Lemon Street to Oak Street on Saturday night, 4 to 9 p.m. There will also be live music, dancing, giveaways, raffles and drinks.

Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot Festival

The Blue-Green Connections Hope Spot Festival takes place Saturday, 10 a.m., at Edgewater Park in Dunedin. This event celebrates the Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot, a special area internationally recognized for its critical role in the health of the ocean.

This family-friendly, low-waste event will feature a variety of activities, including a waterfront cleanup, live music, food and drinks, games, community art, and live native animals. Local marine organizations will provide hands-on activities, and over 60 ocean-focused exhibitors and sustainable vendors will be in attendance.

Beatles vs. Stones

In this battle-of-the-bands, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones go toe-to-toe with the biggest hits from two of the greatest musical acts of all time. Taking the stage Friday, 7 p.m., at Venice Performing Arts Center are the Beatles tribute band Sgt. Pepper and Stones tribute act Jumping Jack Flash.