Sugar Sand Festival, Margarita Wars, Poetic Portals: 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 — Sugar Sand Festival, Keel Farms Blueberry Festival, Margarita Wars and Poetic Portals.

Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival

After kicking off last weekend, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival on Clearwater Beach will continue through April 24, drawing thousands of visitors to see the works of 14 of the world's top sand sculptors in the 21,000-square-foot Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays through Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets can be bought online here. Based on this year's theme, "An Animal Adventure," the sculptures include larger-than-life, fantastical bears, penguins, dragons and owls.

Egypt Shrine Circus

The Egypt Shrine Circus runs Thursday through Sunday at the International Independent Showman’s Association in Riverview. This three-ring circus features high-flying and trapeze acts, a daring motorcycle ball act, balancing acts, clowns, and a menagerie of horses, camels, and other animals.

Spring Plant Sale

The Nature Coast Botanical Gardens in Spring Hill hosts its annual spring plant sale Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. Members of the Spring Hill Garden Club will be available to answer questions about plants.

St. Pete French Fry Fest

This French fry and craft beer festival takes place Friday, 5 to 10 p.m., at Albert Whitted Park and features local food trucks. Entry is free.

Margarita Wars

Margarita Wars is a chance to sample margaritas created by more than a dozen of the Tampa Bay area's best mixologists Friday, 8 p.m., at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre in Tampa. Try your hand at tipsy judging by voting to award Tampa Bay’s Ultimate Margarita. Plus, live entertainment, Mexican-inspired hors d'oeuvres, and other fun surprises.

Poke-Hunt Easter Egg Festival

The Nerd Culture Club at the State College of Florida hosts a Pokémon Go Themed Easter Egg Hunton Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

Keel Farms Blueberry Festival

Plant City’s Keel Farms Blueberry Festival takes place Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event includes vendors, food and drink specials, friendly farm animals, u-pick blueberry, a bounce house, and more.

Tampa Bay Empanada Festival

Common Dialect Beerworks in Tampa hosts an empanada festival Saturday, noon to 7 p.m., to celebrate National Empanada Day.

Poetic Portals

The Friends of Jack Kerouac presents its fundraiser Poetic Portals: Art and Poetry Exhibit on Saturday, 7 to 11 p.m., at The Factory St. Pete in honor of National Poetry Month. This showcase features 26 pairs of artists and poets from St. Pete and Tampa creating visual art in response to one or more poems.

La Musica International Chamber Music Festival

The opening concert of the 2023 festival takes place Saturday, 7:30 p.m., at the Sarasota Opera House. The program begins with one of Beethoven’s finest and most grand trios ever written at that time and closes with Mendelssohn’s most beloved Octet in E-flat major.