Beer And Bacon, Little Pirate Parade, Bike Fest On Tap Jan. 17-19

TAMPA BAY, FL — Wondering what to do this weekend? Patch has some ideas. Check out these events:

Children's Gasparilla Parade

The Children's Gasparilla Parade will take place Saturday, Jan. 18 from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Mateys of all ages will jump and shout for beads as more than 100 parade units, including krewes, marching bands, dance units, schools, community organizations and neighborhood associations make their way down Tampa's Bayshore Boulevard.

This year’s parade begins at Bay to Bay and Bayshore boulevards, ending along Edison Avenue.

The parade will be followed by a “pirate-technic” show and a recreation of the fictitious battle between Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the City of Tampa.

The parade is free. Click here for reserved seating.

St. Pete Beer & Bacon Fest

The fourth annual St. Pete Beer & Bacon Fest will take place Saturday, Jan. 18 from noon to 7 p.m. at Vinoy Park on Bayshore Drive in downtown St. Petersburg.

There will be unlimited sampling of more than 75 craft beers nd more than 50 craft cocktails from 3 to 7 p.m., more than 50 bacon dishes from 20-plus food vendors, live music by The Black Honkeys, Summer Survivors, Guerilla Panic and Otis on Top, games and prizes.

General admission is $20, grand sampling tickets are $50 and Whole Hog VIP tickets are $90. Click here.

Tampa Bay Black Heritage Music Fest

The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Music Fest will take place Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 18 and 19 at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa.

This two-day music fest will feature local and nationally recognized musicians, artists, poets and crafters.

Performers will include Tony! Toni! Tone!, Dwele, Eric Darius, Nick Colionne, Third World, BK Jackson & Friends, Johnboy and Surround Sound and Karen Wolfe. Click here for the schedule.

General admission tickets are $15 per person and free for kids 12 and under. Preferred seating is $35 and VIP tickets are $190.

Pigz In Z'Hills BBQ & Blues Fest

The 10th Annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest will be held on Friday, Jan. 17 from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Zephyhills Airport, 5200 Airport Road.

Friday night events will include a sanctioned Steak Cook-Off Competition, Kidz Grilling Competition, a cornhole tournament with a $500 purse, dessert competition, local band showcase and lots of barbecue.

Saturday's all-day event features a barbecue contest sanctioned by the Florida BBQ Association, top blues bands throughout the day, a Shine & Swine Car Show, Kidz Fun Zone, cornhole tournament organized by the Tampa Bay Cornhole Association, military museum, concessions, retail vendors and a business expo.

Admission is free. Parking is $10. No coolers or pets. Seating is limited so bring lawn chairs.

Gibtown Bike Fest

More than 22,000 bikers will be heading to the Gibtown Bike Fest Friday through Sunday, Jan. 17-19, at the International Independent Showmen’s Association, 6915 Riverview Drive in Gibsonton.

The fest will include more than 60 vendors selling motorcycles, motorcycle apparel, accessories, food and drinks. The musical lineup features Georgia Thunderbolts, Black Stone Cherry, Kentucky Head Hunters and Confederate Railroad.

Other acts include a high-flying motorcycle daredevil show. New to the festival this year is Born To Ride’s Chopporama, a display of talented local motorcycle builders and their creations. There will also be bike shows both Saturday and Sunday and a Tattoo’d Sweethearts Contest.

The festival opens at 2 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Treasure Island Kite Fest

Windworks will present the 23rd Annual Treasure Island Sport Kite Competition and Festival Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 18-19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. behind the Thunderbird Beach Resort, 10700 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island.

Competitors from around the U.S. will gather to compete in dual-line and multi-line sport kite flying, kite ballet and hot tricks contests. The event also will include live music, kite-flying lessons, kite vendors, a silent auction and hourly raffles.

Gem, Jewelry and Bead Show

The St. Petersburg Gem, Jewelry and Bead Show will take place Friday through Sunday, Jan. 17-19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to at The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. N., St. Petersburg.

Exhibitors from around the country will display and sell gems, jewelry, crystals, minerals and beads of every shape, color and size. The dealers present some of the finest gem, jewelry and bead collections for sale in the United States.
Admission is $5.

A Musical Tribute To MLK

One City Chorus, St. Petersburg’s 120-voice community chorus, will present a concert, "Embracing the Dream: A Musical Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Clearwater, 2470 Nursery Road, Clearwater.

The concert will also feature music by The UUC Chorale and readings of writings by Dr. King. There will be a reception with light refreshments after the concert. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door.

2nd Annual Gasparilla Bullie Booty Brunch

The second annual Gasparilla Bullie Booty Brunch to benefit Florida English Bulldog Rescue will take place Sunday, Jan. 19 from noon to 4 p.m. at the WTR Pool and Grille, 7700 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa.

Tickets are $35 and include a brunch buffet and rum punch, live music, vendors, silent auctions, a 50/50 raffle and a Bully Invasion Parade.

MLK Music And Culture Festival

On Saturday, Jan. 18, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the first MLK Music and Culture Festival will take place in Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore Dr. S.E., in downtown St. Pete. The free event organized by Advantage Village Academy will feature live entertainment and vendors.

Big Gospel Extravaganza

The first MLK Dream Big Gospel Extravanganza will take place Sunday, Jan. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Greater Mt. Zion AME Church, 1045 16th St. S., St. Petersburg. The free event will be led by conductor Kevin Parrott and feature a variety of spiritual music.