Explore Tampa Bay Newsletter March/April 2025

 

March

🍓 Strawberry Festival: February 27th - March 9th (Plant City)

🏎️ Firestone Grand Prix: Feb 28th - March 2nd (Downtown St. Pete)

🎉Dunedin Mardi Gras: March 4th (Downtown Dunedin)

☀️ Awakening into the Sun Festival: March 8th - 9th (North Straub Park)

🎨 Gasparilla Festival of the Arts: March 6th - 7th (Julian B Lane Waterfront Park)

🍺 Tampa Bay Beer Week: March 1st- 9th (Various Locations)

🍖 Beer, Bourbon, & Barbeque Fest: 7th -8th (Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park)

🎶 Reggae Rise Up: March 14th - 17th (Vinoy Park)

☘️ Mayor's River O' Green Fest: March 15th (Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park)

☘️ Paddy Fest St Pete: March 15th (Williams Park)

⛳ Valspar Championship: March 20th - 23rd (Innisbrook)

🍷Uncorked : Tampa Wine Fest : March 22nd (Water Works Park)

🍤John's Pass Seafood Festival: March 28th-30h at Madeira Beach

🎭Taste at the Straz : March 29th (The Straz Center)

🎉 Chasco Fiesta: March 28th -April 5th (Sims Park)

🌈 Tampa Pride Diversity Parade: March 29th (Ybor City)

April Events

🐾 SPCA Tampa Bay Pet Walk: March 29th (North Straub Park, St. Pete & Largo Central Park, Largo)

🎉 Chasco Fiesta New Port Richey: March 28th - April 5th (Sims Park, New Port Richey)

🎷 St. Pete Jazz Festival: April 1st - 3rd (Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)

🎉 Oldsmar Days and Nights: April 4th-6th (R.E. Olds Park Oldsmar)

☘️ Dunedin Highland Games: April 5th (Dunedin Highland Middle School)

🎨 50th Annual Mainsail Art Festival: April 5th -6th (Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg)

🍷 Tampa Bay Wine & Food Fest: April 8th - 12th (The Tampa Club, Hyde Park Village, and Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park)

🎉 Palm Harbor Fest 2025: April 10th - 13th (Downtown Palm Harbor)

🤠 Tampa Bay Rodeo and Family Festival: April 11th - 12th (Hillsborough County Fairgrounds)

🎸 Tampa Bay Blues Festival: April 11th - 13th (Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg)

🏖️ Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival: April 11th - 27th (Clearwater Beach)

🎉 Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival: April 12th (Perry Harvey Sr. Park, Tampa)

🌶️ 18th Annual Pinellas Pepper Fest: April 12th -13th (England Brothers Park, Pinellas Park)

🐰 Easter Egg Hunt : April 20th (Coachman Park, Clearwater)

🥚 Easter Sunday at the Florida Botanical Gardens: April 20th (Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo)

🚢 Easter Brunch Cruises: April 20th (Various Locations, Tampa & Clearwater)

⛪ Easter Services at Local Churches: April 20th

🥚 Hyde Park Village Easter Event: April 20th (Hyde Park Village, Tampa)

🖼️ Dunedin Art Festival: April 26th - 27th (Downtown Dunedin)

🌱 39th Annual Green Thumb Festival: April 26th-27th (Walter Fuller Recreation Park, St. Petersburg)

🏮 Tampa Riverfest Lantern Parade: May 3rd (Tampa Riverwalk)

🍖 Barbeque Love Fest: May 3rd (Perry Harvey Sr. Park, Tampa)

🎶 Motherland Music Festival: TBD (Williams Park, St. Petersburg)

Our area has fabulous concert venues ranging from large outdoor spaces to intimate indoor spaces. Click on the image above for a current list of the top ten. 🎶👆

We also have amazing museums! Click on the image below to find links to their sites and see which exhibits are currently displayed. 👇

Looking to make new friends in the area? Join my Group “Explore Tampa Bay with Friends”. Just click on the image below for more information. 👇

I’m excited to announce the launch of my YouTube channel, Key to New Shores! Let me help you find your dream home in the Tampa Bay Area. Or explore homes worldwide with me, I’m a Certified International Property Specialist. Click on the image below to visit my YouTube Channel 👇

Single Family Home Sales for Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough County in February.

Explore Tampa Bay Newsletter February/March 2025

February

🦅10th Annual Raptor Festival: February 1st at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Tampa

🥃 Tampa Bay Whiskey Riot Festival: February 1st at The Coliseum, St. Petersburg

🚚 2025 Monster Truck Jam: February 1st -2nd at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

🎡Florida State Fair: February 6th - 17th at Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa

🐶 Bark in the Park: February 8th at Curtis Hixon Park, Tampa

🍫 Tampa Bay Chocolate Festival: February 15th and 16th at Port Richey Gulfview Square

💨 Sunshine City Smokeout: TBD at St. Pete Pier, St. Petersburg)

🐎Sant' Yago Knight Parade: February 8th at Ybor City 7th Ave, Tampa

⛵ Localtopia: February 22nd at Williams Park, St Pete

🌮 Tampa Taco Fest: February 22nd at Al Lopez Park, Tampa

🎉 Fiesta Day: February 22nd at Ybor Historic 7th Ave, Tampa

🍤Art and Seafood on the Waterfront: February 22nd -23rd Safety Harbor

🏃‍♂️Gasparilla Distance Classic: February 22nd-23rd Downtown Tampa

⚜️Dunedin Mardi Gras: March 4th Dunedin

March

🍓 Strawberry Festival: February 27th - March 9th (Plant City)

🏎️ Firestone Grand Prix: Feb 28th - March 2nd (Downtown St. Pete)

🎉Dunedin Mardi Gras: March 4th (Downtown Dunedin)

☀️ Awakening into the Sun Festival: March 8th - 9th (North Straub Park)

🎨 Gasparilla Festival of the Arts: March 6th - 7th (Julian B Lane Waterfront Park)

🍺 Tampa Bay Beer Week: March 1st- 9th (Various Locations)

🍖 Beer, Bourbon, & Barbeque Fest: 7th -8th (Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park)

🎶 Reggae Rise Up: March 14th - 17th (Vinoy Park)

☘️ Mayor's River O' Green Fest: March 15th (Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park)

☘️ Paddy Fest St Pete: March 15th (Williams Park)

⛳ Valspar Championship: March 20th - 23rd (Innisbrook)

🍷Uncorked : Tampa Wine Fest : March 22nd (Water Works Park)

🍤John's Pass Seafood Festival: March 28th-30h at Madeira Beach

🎭Taste at the Straz : March 29th (The Straz Center)

🎉 Chasco Fiesta: March 28th -April 5th (Sims Park)

🌈 Tampa Pride Diversity Parade: March 29th (Ybor City)

🐾 SPCA Tampa Bay Pet Walk: March 29th (North Straub Park)

These are just some of the main events. Click on the images for more events and details. Official city websites will have the most up-to-date information.

Our area has fabulous concert venues ranging from large outdoor spaces to intimate indoor spaces. Click on the image above for a current list of the top ten. 🎶👆

We also have amazing museums! Click on the image below to find links to their sites and see which exhibits are currently displayed. 👇

Looking to make new friends in the area? Join my Group “Explore Tampa Bay with Friends”. Just click on the image below for more information. 👇

I’m excited to announce the launch of my YouTube channel, Key to New Shores! Let me help you find your dream home in the Tampa Bay Area. Or explore homes worldwide with me, I’m a Certified International Property Specialist. Click on the image below to visit my YouTube Channel 👇

Single Family Home Sales for Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough County January.

Explore Tampa Bay Newsletter January/February 2025

 

January

Tarpon Springs Epiphany🏊‍♀️: January 6th at Spring Bayou

Downtown Dunedin Art Festival🎭: January 7th-8th

Dunedin International Film Festival 🎥: January 12th-15th

John’s Pass Seafood Festival🍤: January 13th-15th at Madeira Beach NEW DATES MARCH 28TH-30TH

St. Pete Bacon & BBQ Festival 🐷: January 11th-12th at Vinoy Park

Florida RV Supershow🏕️: January 15th -19th at Florida State Fairgrounds

St. Pete Power and Sailboat Show⛵️: January 16th -19th Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin

Ashley Children’s Gasparilla Parade 🌈: January 18th on Bayshore Blvd

Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest 🏴‍☠️: January 25th on Bayshore Blvd

February

10th Annual Raptor Festival: February 1st 🦅 at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Tampa

Tampa Bay Whiskey Riot Festival: February 1st 🥃 at The Coliseum, St. Petersburg

2025 Monster Truck Jam: February 1st -2nd. 🚚 at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Florida State Fair: February 6th - 17th 🎡 at Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa

Bark in the Park: February 8th 🐶 at Curtis Hixon Park, Tampa

Tampa Bay Chocolate Festival: February 15th and 16th🍫 at Port Richey Gulfview Square

Sunshine City Smokeout: TBD💨 at St. Pete Pier, St. Petersburg)

Sant’ Yago Knight Parade: February 8th 🐎 at Ybor City 7th Ave, Tampa

Localtopia: February 22nd ⛵ at Williams Park, St Pete

Tampa Taco Fest: February 22nd 🌮 at Al Lopez Park, Tampa

Fiesta Day: February 22nd🎉 at Ybor Historic 7th Ave, Tampa

Art and Seafood on the Waterfront: February 🎨🍤 Safety Harbor

Gasparilla Distance Classic: February 22nd-23rd 🏃‍♂️Downtown Tampa

Dunedin Mardi Gras: March 4th⚜️Dunedin

These are just some of the main events. Follow the links for more events and details. Official city websites will have the most up-to-date information.

Our area has fabulous concert venues ranging from large outdoor spaces to intimate indoor spaces. Click on the image above for a current list of the top ten. 🎶👆

We also have amazing museums! Click on the image below to find links to their sites and see which exhibits are currently displayed. 👇

Looking to make new friends in the area? Join my Group “Explore Tampa Bay with Friends”. Just click on the image below for more information. 👇

I’m excited to announce the launch of my YouTube channel, Key to New Shores! Let me help you find your dream home in the Tampa Bay Area. Or explore homes worldwide with me, I’m a Certified International Property Specialist. Click on the image below to visit my YouTube Channel 👇

Single Family Home Sales for Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough County in December.

Explore Tampa Bay Newsletter December 2024 /January 2025

 

December Events

Victorian Christmas Stroll: November 23rd - December 31st (Henry B Plant Museum Tampa)

Unchant: Christmas with a Florida Twist: November 25th - January 13th (FloridaRAMA St Petersburg)

Christmas in the Wild at Zoo Tampa: November 29th, 30th and December 1st, 6th-7th, 12th-15th and 17th -23rd (Lowry Park Zoo Tampa)

Dunedin Polar Express Train: November 30th, December 1st, December 4th through 8th, 11th through 15th, and 18th through the 22nd.

Shopalooza Festival: November 30th -Dec. 1st (St Pete)

Tampa Bay Festival of Lights: November 28th - December 29th (Hillsborough County Fairgrounds)

Holiday Lights in the Garden: November 29th - January 4th (Florida Botanical Gardens Largo)

YuleTides at The Florida Aquarium: November 29th - January 5th (Florida Aquarium Channelside District Tampa)

Christmastown at Busch Gardens: November 15th - January 5th (Busch Gardens Tampa)

Holiday Events at the Tampa Riverwalk: Throughout December (Tampa Riverwalk)

There's Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs: December 6th (Tarpon Ave)

Safety Harbor Santa Firetruck: December 13th, 14th, 20th, and 21st

Tree Lighting Ceremonies 🎄

Saint. Petersburg Tree Lighting: November 30th (Downtown St. Petersburg)

Clearwater Tree Lighting: Dec 1st (Coachmen Park Clearwater)

Tampa Riverwalk Tree Lighting: Dec 1st (Tampa Riverwalk, Tampa)

Gulfport Holiday Tree Lighting: Dec 2nd (Clymer Park)

Oldsmar City Tree Lighting: Dec. 2nd (Oldsmar City Hall)

Tarpon Springs Tree Lighting: December 4th (Sponge Docks) December 6th (Downtown Tarpon Springs)

Safety Harbor Tree Lighting: December 6th (Safety Harbor City Center)

Palm Harbor Tree Lighting: December 6th (Downtown Palm Harbor)

New Port Richey Light Up the Night: December 6th (Downtown New Port Richey)

Tarmpa's Santa Fest and Tree Lighting: December 7th (Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park)

Holiday Tree Lighting and Strolling Market: December 7th (Largo Central Park)

Light Up Trinity: December 8th (Generations at Trinty)

Dunedin Tree Lighting: (Downtown Dunedin) CANCELLED

Parades 🎅🦌

St Pete Santa Parade and Tree Lighting: November 30th (North Straub Park St Pete)

Safety Harbor Holiday Parade: December 7th Main Street Safety Harbor

Clearwater Beach 12 Days of Christmas Parade: December 9th

Dunedin Old Fashioned Christmas and Holiday Parade: December 9th (Downtown Dunedin)

Palm Harbor Christmas Parade: December 14th (Downtown Palm Harbor)

Oldsmar Holiday Golf Cart and Bike Parade: December 14th (Oldsmar Public Library)

Tarpon Springs Christmas Parade: December 14th (Downtown Tarpon Springs)

NPR Holiday Street Parade: December 15th (Downtown New Port Richey)

Lighted Boat Parades 🛥️

Tarpon Springs Boat Parade: December 6th (Craig Park and Spring Bayou, Tarpon Springs)

Clearwater Beach Holiday Boat Parade: December 14th. Beginning in Mandalay Channel traveling the inlets of Island Estates before going under the Memorial Causeway Bridge ending at the Clearwater Yacht Club.

John's Pass Boat Parade: December 15th (John's Pass Village, Madeira Beach)

Tampa Riverwalk Lighted Boat Parade: December 21st (Tampa Riverwalk, Tampa)

24th Annual Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade: December 22nd (Lowry Park Boat Ramp, Tampa)

Dunedin Boat Parade: December 23rd (Downtown Dunedin, Dunedin) CANCELLED

Reddington Beach Boat Parade: December 15th South of the Park Blvd Bridge traveling the Intracoastal south to the American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach. CANCELLED

South Pasadena Boat Parade: Starting Just outside Marine Max ending behind the Causeway Village and The Fountains. CANCELLED

Boca Ciega Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parade: Gulfport CANCELLED

Treasure Island Boat Parade: December 13th (Treasure Island Causeway, Treasure Island) 

January Events

Downtown Dunedin Art Festival: January 4th-5th

2025 Tarpon Springs Epiphany: January 6th, Spring Bayou

Dunedin International Film Festival: January 9th-12th

John's Pass Seafood Festival: January 17th at John's Pass Village and Boardwalk

St. Pete Bacon & BBQ Festival: January 11th-12th at Vinoy Park

Florida RV Supershow: January 15th -19th at Florida State Fairgrounds

St. Pete Power and Sailboat Show: January 16th -19th

Ashley Children's Gasparilla Parade: January 18th on Bayshore Blvd

Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest: January 25th on Bayshore Blvd

Our area has fabulous concert venues ranging from large outdoor spaces to intimate indoor spaces. Click on the image above for a current list of the top ten. 🎶👆

We also have amazing museums! Click on the image below to find links to their sites and see which exhibits are currently displayed. 👇

Looking to make new friends in the area? Join my Group “Explore Tampa Bay with Friends”. Just click on the image below for more information. 👇

I’m excited to announce the launch of my YouTube channel, Key to New Shores! Let me help you find your dream home in the Tampa Bay Area. Or explore homes worldwide with me, I’m a Certified International Property Specialist. Click on the image below to visit my YouTube Channel 👇

Single Family Home Sales for Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough County in November.

8 Reasons You Need A Realtor

https://blog.homekeepr.com/8-reasons-need-realtor-ease-home-purchase

Your Florida Dream Life - St. Pete Beach

This Weeks Community:

St. Pete Beach is located just off the mainland of Saint Petersburg, south of Treasure Island and north of unincorporated Tiera Verde. It is a barrier island community and is part of Pinellas County. The number of permanent residents is just over 10,000 but there are large numbers of residential home and condominium owners who are seasonal residents. There are many wonderful places to visit in St. Pete Beach, in addition to the gorgeous beaches, there are numerous parks with various amenities to enjoy. You can learn more about the parks and all the amenities they offer at Parks. One of the most popular being Fort De Soto Park Park (which actually covers five islands) and is the largest park in Pinellas County and a popular beach spot (winning the number one rating from Dr. Beach in 2005). It includes a dog beach and still has the original Fort that the park is named after. It is on the National Registry of Historic Places. In addition to the beaches and parks, there is the Gulf Beaches Museum where you can "learn the legacy of the island's colorful heritage". For residents of St. Pete Beach, the St. Pete Beach Community Center has something for everyone. There is a pool with attached play area, fitness center, and many programs/classes are hosted here. You can enjoy everything from a Hawaiian Dance Class to a Beach Photography Class. You can also learn about special events in the area of the Rec Center's Web Page including a semi-annual beach cleanup and community garage sale. There is a twice annual 100 Artist show at Thanksgiving and in the Spring. You can find details at Suntan Art Center 100 Artists Show. You absolutely must check out the Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa. The "Pink Castle" was first opened in 1928 and was the playground of the rich and famous of the Jazz Age. At one point it was sold to the U.S. Army and then was almost razed in the early 70's. Residents protested greatly however and it was sold and renovations began to restore it to its previous splendor. The hotel has a famous restaurant, The Maritana Grille. This is a four diamond restaurant where guest dine surrounded by 1500 gallons of saltwater aquariums. The Hotel Zamora offers dining at its Castile Restaurant and fabulous views from its rooftop bar. The Grand Plaza Hotel has a revolving restaurant and lounge Spinners where you can enjoy panoramic views while dining. For shopping check out the Historic Corey Avenue Shopping District. The heart of downtown St. Pete Beach has unique boutiques and galleries with clothing and accessories, furniture, and gifts that offer you the opportunity to find one of a kind treasures. Many of the restaurants offer outdoor dog friendly dining for enjoying a meal after you've scored the perfect gifts. There is a Sunday Market on Corey Avenue and Craft Shows four times a year. At the southernmost tip of St. Pete Beach is Pass A Grille, a quaint and wonderful place with a less populated beach. Visitors like to enjoy a drink on the rooftop of the The Hurricane after enjoying the beach. 
When you've visited all of the wonderful attractions the beach has to offer, the drive into downtown St. Pete (with it's fabulous restaurants, cultural attractions and more) is less than 30 minutes. To learn more about St. Pete Beach go to City of St. Pete Beach Homepage. To learn about other communities in the Tampa Bay area go to Communities

A Favorite Place in St. Pete Beach:

Nikko Mussolini Dog Boutique and Spirits is a wonderful place to enjoy spirits or a coffee or tea drink accompanied by your dog. For your pup here are of course handmade doggie treats and even a boutique. They have regular special events including a Doggy Disco Night. It's a very chill and friendly place and a great addition to the St. Pete Beach community. You really should check it out with your fur baby. I would love to share your favorite place in your community. Email me at Susan@susandsorensen.com

For the Locals: 

Ever been to the The Seahorse Restaurant for breakfast or lunch? It is located at 800 Pass a Grille Way and the Pecan Waffles and Grits are a long time favorite of patrons. Some new favorites are the Spicy Salsa Burger (made with their homemade roasted jalapeno pepper salsa) and the Guacamole and Bacon Burger. They recently started making their own delicious jams and jellies for you to enjoy at home. The decor of the restaurant is fun and the staff is very attentive. This gem has been open sine 1938.

Your Perfect Florida Day: 
Thanks to Heather Rippert for providing the photo and images of her paintings. A perfect Florida day for Heather would include a walk among nature where she enjoys taking photos of the gorgeous scenery. It would also have to include creating her incredible art work. Heather has been an artist her entire life. She specializes in coastal landscapes.

Below are some of Heather's fabulous paintings. You can

reach her about purchasing her work here

 Heather Rippert Fine Art Gallery 

or at her artist Facebook page 

Heather Rippert Artist

Real Estate Statistics:

For the month of April the average sale price for a condo or townhouse with the address of St. Pete Beach/Treasure Island was $282,217, the average days on the market 84, selling at 96% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $257. The average price of a single family home was $583,002 the average days on the market being 115 and selling at 97% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $324. (This information comes from the Suncoast Multiple Listing Service (MLS)). If you are interested in seeing what you can get for your money in your favorite neighborhood you can search for properties via my free Keller Williams Mobile App My KW App  Or you may go to my website at susandsorensen.com

Creating Relationships:

The Tampa Bay area is ideal for small business owners/entrepreneurs, people who are looking to reinvent themselves, and people starting their second chapter in life. You have many opportunities here for developing new friendships and business relationships. Volunteering is one opportunity. In St. Pete Beach you might consider becoming a volunteer with the Gulf Beaches Museum. See my previous blog post for numerous other ideas. 

Your Florida Dream Life- Largo

This Weeks Community:

Largo is centrally located in Pinellas County between Tarpon Springs to the North and St. Pete Beach to the south. It's on the Gulf side of highway 19 and it's just 15 minutes west to Clearwater Beach. You can easily and quickly get to two airports by heading east (about 15 minutes) to the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, or east to the Courtney Campbell Causeway, which then takes you into Tampa and the Tampa International Airport. The drive into St. Pete (with it's fabulous restaurants, cultural attractions and more) is right around 30 minutes. Largo is not as well known as Tampa, Clearwater and St. Pete but has become the 4th largest city in the Tampa Bay area with a population over 80,000. In addition to having a central location it has a lot to offer on it's own. The Largo Cultural Center gives you the opportunity to enjoy Broadway Shows, Kids' Shows and Rock Concerts. Largo Central Park has a lot of amenities inside the park and covers over 70 acres. It includes The Largo Central Railroad, a fun attraction for children, as well as a children's playground, located under shady oaks.  The children's park is fun for all ages and features 117 play events. Every year Central Park has a fabulous holiday lights display and the annual Holiday Stroll. During the three day Holiday Stroll (which is a family friendly event) they have entertainment, arts and activities, Santa Claus, and the official lighting of the tree. 

When looking at dining options, a popular restaurant in Largo is Marlin Darlin. It is a Bay Star Restaurant Groups restaurant and their other popular restaurants include include Rumba, Salt Rock, and Island Way Grill. A fabulous upscale restaurant is E and E Stakeout Grill. It is a 3 Best Chef's restaurant (as is Mystic Fish, which I mentioned in my blog post on Palm Harbor is my favorite restaurant in that area). E & E, like Mystic Fish, has a gorgeous modern and sophisticated decor with dinners consisting of the freshest ingredients prepared to perfection. They have a lot of steak dishes as well as lamb, seafood, and fajitas. Maggie Mae's, which started as a popular breakfast destination on Sand Key in Clearwater Beach, has now opened a Belleair Bluffs location right on the border of Largo. Maggie Mae's has a large selection of Southern breakfast and lunch favorites described as "just like Granny use to make".

If you're looking to be active East Bay Golf Club in Largo is described as having one of the most popular public layouts in the area. It is a traditional championship 18 hole par -71 course with well bunkered elevated greens and numerous water challenges. There is also the public Largo Golf Course on Vonn Road. You can join the City League, participate in a monthly scramble, and even take lessons there. The Southwest Recreation Complex in Largo looks to give residents the opportunity for lifelong fitness and contains an Olympic size pool, tennis courts and more. The The Highland Family Aquatic Center is a family friendly place where residents can beat the heat with a waterpark and two multipurpose pools. For special events East Bay Country Club (which also serves lunches and dinners) is a popular place for events, parties, and weddings. To learn more about Largo go to The City of Largo Homepage. To learn about other communities in the Tampa Bay area go to Communities

A Favorite Place in Largo:

Barley Mow is a friendly neighborhood brewery. They have a fabulous outdoor beer garden where you can enjoy live music every Friday night. On Thursday they have a food truck stop by so you can enjoy a meal with your beer. On Tuesday nights it's Team Trivia, and Wednesday is a night to be adventurous as it is Wednesday Night Randall. A Randall is a filter used to add flavor and every Wednesday they pack a Randall with fresh fruit, hops, or candy and run one of their beers through it. You've got to check it out. I would love to share your favorite place in your community. Email me at Susan@susandsorensen.com

For the Locals: 

Ever been to Fat Cat Tavern? It is located at 3665 East Bay Drive in Largo. It's a fun place with fun events scheduled regularly. Events range from Karaoke Nights, Trivia Nights, Giant Jenga Night, DJ Music Nights and a hosted game called Opinionation (based on 100 people surveyed questions). They even host Fat Cat Tavern Fishing Club Meetings. There are always great specials including $1 tacos and $1 margaritas (frequently on Mondays) as well as game day specials. The food is generally bar food but the menu is pretty extensive and even includes a spinach and fruit salad for those looking for healthier options.

Your Perfect Florida Day: 

Thanks to Tangi for providing these wonderful photos. Tangi's perfect Florida day would have to include time on the water. She teaches sailing through the Dunedin Youth Sailing program and is also a talented permanent makeup artist. You can check out her work at  The Permanent Makeup Artist or visit her at Toes Up Day Spa. 

Real Estate Statistics:

For the month of October the average sale price for a condo or townhouse in the zipcodes of Largo (not including Belleair Bluffs) was $106,665, the average days on the market 80, selling at 96% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $89. The average price of a single family home (not including Belleair Bluffs or Seminole) was $189,486 the average days on the market being 60 and selling at 98% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $124. (This information comes from the Suncoast Multiple Listing Service (MLS)). If you are interested in seeing what you can get for your money in your favorite neighborhood you can search for properties via my free Keller Williams Mobile App My KW App  Or you may go to my website at susandsorensen.com

Creating Relationships:

The Tampa Bay area is ideal for small business owners/entrepreneurs, people who are looking to reinvent themselves, and people starting their second chapter in life. You have many opportunities here for developing new friendships and business relationships. In Largo a great place to start is by getting involved in any of the numerous activities taking place through the Largo Recreation, Parks & Arts Programs. You could sign up for art classes, join an athletic league, or take adult dance lessons from Hip Hop to Line Dance. You can even be a part of an adult dance troupe. If you have children wanting to get involved in dance, The Tutterow Dance Company has been a part of Largo Recreation, Parks, and Arts for over 30 years and performs numerous times throughout the year and they have even performed overseas. In addition there are numerous opportunities to volunteer. You can volunteer with the nature parks doing anything from animal care to exotic plant removal, or you can get free training in wildlife identification and become an Eagle Volunteer and potentially lead programs and tours. You can also volunteer in the arts through VITAL and assist at the Largo Cultural Center, The primary volunteer organization for Largo Recreation, Parks and Arts is Caring by Sharing. Through Caring by Sharing you could do anything from organizing puppet shows, to teaching classes, to shooting photos at city events. If you enjoy volunteering with teens the Largo Teen Programs at both rec centers could use more volunteers. The purpose of the Teen Programs is for teens to have a place where they can just hang out and socialize and have a good time. You could also volunteer with The Suncoast Performing Arts Foundation (at the Largo Cultural Center) or you could serve on the Recreation, Arts, & Parks Advisory Board. There are numerous ways to get involved and develop new relationships, you just have to choose what is right for you. (See my previous blog post for other ideas on developing relationships in a new community.)