Grilled Cheese Festival, Tarpon Rodeo, AfriCAN Fest: 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 — a grilled cheese festival, Dad’s Day Block Party, AfroCAN Festival, a free outdoor concert series.

18th annual Tarpon Rodeo

Tampa Bay Watch will host the 18th annual Tarpon Rodeo, presented by Great Bay Distributors, an all release fishing tournament on Friday, starting at 7 a.m. Anglers will fish their favorite spots throughout Tampa Bay from one mile offshore running north to Redington Fishing Pier and south to Longboat Pass.

Friday Fest

The Van Wezel’s free, outdoor, summer concert series returns to Sarasota Friday, 5 p.m., with a performance by Kettle of Fish.

51st annual Melvin Exhibition

The reception and awards presentation for the Lakeland Arts Association’s 51st annual Melvin Exhibition will take place at Florida Southern College’s Melvin Gallery on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Dad’s Day Block Party

The Dad’s Day Block Party takes place Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota. The event features meet and greets with Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning players, as well as a vendor expo and free activities for the family, including ax throwing, a batting cage and mini golf. There’s even rum samplings for adults.

Sarasota Music Festival

As the Sarasota Music Festival continues, concerts are planned all weekend, including:

• “Appalachian Spring,” Friday, 7:30 p.m., at the Sarasota Opera House
• Sound Stories, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., at the Sarasota Opera House
• Rising Stars - 2, Sunday, 2:30 p.m., at Holley Hall

Adoptapalooza

On Saturday, Polk County Animal Control will host an Adoptapalooza event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its facility located at 7115 De Castro Road in Winter Haven. Residents will be able to adopt pets for free. Pets come with initial shots, a microchip and will be spayed or neutered.

Pride Bar Crawl

This sixth annual Pride Bar Crawl throughout St. Petersburg takes place Saturday, 4 p.m. to midnight. 20 percent of proceeds will benefit Metro Inclusive Health.

Ooza Palooza Grilled Cheese and Tater Tot Fest

Local food trucks will serve up a childhood classic — the grilled cheese — at this food festival on Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m., at Albert Whitted Park in St. Petersburg. There will also be a beer garden, vendors and artists, live music, and games and activities.

AfroCAN Festival

In honor of Juneteenth, Touring Mentors Inc. will host its second annual AfroCAN Festival on Sunday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Perry Harvey Sr. Park in downtown Tampa. The event is free and open to the public, with an optional Experience Pass for an additional fee. The event offers the opportunity to visit several "villages" that embrace the best of the African-American experience in art, food, fashion, music and more.