SarasotaCon, Disaster Expo, Storytelling Festival: 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 – SarasotaCon, Sunscreen Film Festival, Hillsborough County Storytelling Festival, Green Thumb Festival.

Lost in St. Pete

This music and art festivalThis music and art festival features dozens of bands and performers at venues throughout St. Petersburg Thursday through Sunday.

Sunscreen Film Festival

This annual film festival runs Thursday through Sunday at downtown St. Petersburg’s AMC 12 movie theater. The festival features film screenings, short film blocks, networking events and parties, workshops, and more.

Swan Derby

Swan Derby is an annual “Derby Style” event, traditionally staged on beautiful Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland. This year’s swan boat races take place Friday, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and also include live entertainment, children’s activities and fireworks.

Island Paws Fundraiser

The Human Society of Tampa Bay hosts its Island Paws Fundraiser Friday, 6 to 11 p.m., at Water Works Park in Tampa. Guests will enjoy the sunset while mingling with other animal lovers in tropical style and enjoying food, drinks, entertainment, a silent auction and wine pull, dancing, and adoptable animals.

Beacon23

BEACON23 highlights local voices and unites our community in an unforgettable evening of dance that celebrates the dignity of the human form in motion. This year’s eighth annual performance program is Friday, 8 p.m., at The Palladium.

Children’s Booktopia

This children’s book fair takes place Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Bradenton Public Market on Old Main Street and 3rd Avenue W.

Green Thumb Festival

St. Petersburg's annual Arbor Day Celebration, the Green Thumb Festival, brings together plant and flower lovers, as well as individuals and families looking for a fun weekend activity on Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Walter Fuller Park. With more than 120 gardens, plant and flower vendors and exhibitors, the annual event brings the community together for a weekend of fun.

Pasco County Disaster Expo

Pasco County Emergency Management hosts its 2023 Disaster Expo Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Veterans Memorial Park in Hudson to help residents prepare not only for a hurricane, but for other potential disasters, including tornadoes, flooding and wildfires that can happen in Pasco year-round.

SarasotaCon

This pop culture show takes place Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Carlisle Conference Center in Sarasota. Exhibitors will cater to a wide range of interests, including comic books, magazines, toys, video games, movies, wrestling, sci fi, sports cards, anime manga, cosplay and more.

43rd Annual Storytelling Festival

Celebrate the art of storytelling at the 43rd Annual Tampa-Hillsborough County Storytelling Festival with special guests and performances on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the C. Bluthe Andrews Jr. Public Library.

Kids Fair and Lunch with the Dunedin Blue Jays

The Dunedin-Clearwater Elk BPOE Lodge is sponsoring this kids’ fair and lunch with the Dunedin Blue Jays on Saturday starting at noon. The event includes one free ballgame ticket for children 2 to 12 years old and one parent, and various activities, contests, and food.

De Soto Grand Parade

With over 150 entries, the De Soto Grand Parade is one of the largest and oldest parades in the Southeastern United States. Over 100,000 people line the streets of Bradenton to view the illuminated floats and catch a glimpse of our new Hernando de Soto, Captain of the Crewe and their newly crowned Queen and Princess. Beads, coins and other fun items are handed to the crowd throughout the night. The parade starts off Saturday, 7 p.m., at Manatee High School and marches through Bradenton.