Comic Con, Bay Beer Week, Cat Film Fest, Zine 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 — Tampa Bay Beer Week events, the Tampa Zine Fest, the Downtown Sarasota Blues Festival, Gasparilla Festival of the Arts.

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

This motorsports festival brings IndyCar series racing to downtown St. Petersburg’s waterfront street course through Sunday. General admission tickets start at $25 per person. The festival includes a fan village, beer garden, driver autograph sessions, and interactive games and exhibits. Find a full schedule of races and other events here.

Tampa Bay Beer Week

The annual Tampa Bay Beer Week kicks off Friday night at the Dunedin House of Beer and runs through March 11. This celebration of local beer and breweries features a number of events, including Saturday’s Florida Brewers Guild Craft Beer Festival at Perry Harvey Sr. Park in Tampa and the Brewer’s Ball at River Tower Park in Tampa on Sunday. Find a full schedule of events here.

Market World Hobby and Collectible Show

Peruse more than 20 vendors specializing in toys, hobbies and collectibles — from board games and comic books to fishing and golf equipment — Friday through Sunday at the Market World complex in Auburndale.

Holmes Beach Invitational Arts & Crafts Show

More than 50 artists and makers of handcrafted, unique items will set up Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at City Field in Holmes Beach for this arts and crafts show. Items available include jewelry, bath and body products, hand-carved wood items, blown glass, yard art, and more.

New York Cat Film Festival

The New York Cat Film Festival returns to the Tampa Theatre Saturday and Sunday. The event features 16 short films from all over the world — Chile, China, the United States, Australia, Malta and Ireland — that run the gamut from animation to narrative to documentary as they delve into every aspect of the human relationship with these beautiful, unique creatures.

Clearwater Library Comic Con

Calling all comic fans! Clearwater Comic Con is back, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Ross Norton Recreation Center, and better than ever. This event is free and great for the whole family. Come dressed up as your favorite superhero or villain and join in on the cosplay contest. There will be more than 40 guests and vendors to meet, panel discussions, food trucks, and special visits from the 501st, Ghostbusters, and more!

Tampa Zine Fest

The Tampa Zine Fest returns Saturday evening at Southern Brewing & Winery in Tampa. The event features dozens of vendors — local publishers, writers and artists — will offer thousands of zines. There will also be music and food vendors.

Downtown Sarasota Blues Festival

This free blues and barbecue festival runs Friday through Sunday at downtown Sarasota’s JD Hamel Park. Musical acts include John Long, Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones, Sean Chambers, Gary Memphis Rub Band, Joey Gilmore Band, Memphis Lightning, Frank Bang, Lee Boys, Bridget Kelly Band, JP Soars & the Red Hots, and Mike Hung and His Allstar Band.

SunWest Crab & Shrimp Festival

The 8th annual SunWest Crab & Shrimp Festival returns to the sandy beaches of SunWest Park in Hudson Friday through Sunday. Enjoy live music and tons of tasty seafood vendors from chefs throughout Tampa Bay and beyond.

First Annual Sausage Fest

The German American Society in Pinellas Park hosts its first annual Sausage Fest on Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Enjoy different sausages, sides and German beer in the outdoor Biergarten. There will also be several local vendors, including the Skyway Dachshund Rescue.

Gasparilla Festival of the Arts

Enjoy live music, food, interactive experiences and the work of more than 250 artists at this annual event. The festival runs Saturday and Sunday in downtown Tampa’s Julian B. Lane Riverside Park.