Sports

• Football: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  When: From 8/9/08 to 12/28/08

  Known as "The Crown Jewel of the NFL", Raymond James Stadium is a blend of modern design, classic appointments, state-of-the-art technology and historic influences. It has emerged as one of Tampa’s most recognizable landmarks, and it affords Buccaneer fans the most exciting game atmosphere in the National Football League.

  Dubbed "One Buccaneer Palace", the Buccaneers’ gleaming new team headquarters is the largest facility in the NFL. Equipped with every modern tool to help produce a successful team on the field, the facility is also a major draw for potential free agents.

• Arena Football League: Tampa Bay Storm

  When: From 3/1/08 to 6/21/08

  The Storm play in the St. Pete Times Forum on Tampa's downtown waterfront.

• 2008 ACC Football Championship Game

  When: 12/6/08

  The 2008 Dr. Pepper ACC Football Championship Game will feature the top teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Atlantic and Coastal Divisions. Teams will face each other December 6, 2008 at Raymond James Stadium for an automatic BCS Bowl bid and possibly hopes of a national championship.

• Baseball: Tampa Bay Rays

  When: From 2/29/08 to 9/28/08

  Tropicana Field is the world's only professional sports facility that features live cownose rays. The Rays Tank presented by VisitStPeteClearwater.com opened in 2006, and is located just behind the right center field wall. Through a unique partnership with the Florida Aquarium, there are over 30 rays that fans can touch and feed throughout the game. The 10,000 gallon tank is one of the ten-largest in the United States.

  In the Left Field Street area, fans can participate in a baseball-themed game show, take their picture on a Topps baseball card, have their name inscribed onto a Louisville Slugger bat, touch and feel real game-used equipment, and broadcast play-by-play of baseball highlights.

• George M. Steinbrenner Field

  When: Spring 2009 Training Dates TBD

  George M. Steinbrenner Field is the spring training home of the 26-time World Champion New York Yankees and home to the Florida State League, Tampa Yankees.

• Hockey: Tampa Bay Lightning

  When: 2009 Dates TBD

  Home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the St. Pete Times Forum is the jewel of downtown Tampa. The arena features state-of-the-art technology and innovative design which combine to make the St. Pete Times Forum one of the finest facilities in North America. In addition to NHL hockey, the St. Pete Times Forum hosts more than 150 events annually, including concerts, family events, ice shows, the circus and indoor sports.

• Outback Bowl 2009

  When: January 1, 2009

  The Outback Bowl is a New Year's Day college football game matching teams from the SEC and Big Ten Conference (3rd pick from each). The game is a culmination of a week-long schedule of events throughout the Tampa Bay area highlighted by a Beach Day in Clearwater and a New Year's Eve Parade in Ybor City. The game kicks off at 11 A.M. on New Year's Day.

• Outback Steakhouse Pro-AM

  When: From April 13-19, 2009

  The charity contributions to the community have steadily increased since Outback Steakhouse became title sponsor four years ago; the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am has been able to contribute over $2.6 million to eighteen different area charities. The 2008 recipients are Bay Area Legal Services, Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and Sydney’s School for Autism.

Cultural/Concerts/Theatre

• The Florida Strawberry Festival

  When: From 2/26/09-3/8/09

  What could be more American than discovering Plant City, Florida and eating ripe, luscious strawberries which local berry farmers have worked long and hard to bring to market? Over 5,000 acres of strawberries are planted annually. There are some 2,600 farms in Hillsborough County producing fruit and vegetable crops with an annual value of over 400 million dollars. This county is now one of the largest agricultural counties in the nation. The diversified farm production includes strawberries, citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, squash, okra, peppers, beans, dairy products, eggs, ornamental horticulture, tropical fish, beef cattle, swine and other related products. Come see the thrill that goes with competitions and contests for youth and adults combined with exhibits of agriculture, commerce, horticulture, fine arts, livestock, homemade goods, crafts, and parades designed to satisfy the interest of all.

• Gasparilla Pirate Fest

  When: February 7, 2009

  Flush with the wealth of beads, doubloons and other treasures—the captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and his band of marauding buccaneers celebrate their successful invasion with a Pirate Fest Street Festival. Downtown Tampa will again host the Pirate Fest Street Festival, which will take place along Florida Avenue, from Kennedy to Channelside. The festivities begin even before the pirates invade and capture the City—and they’ll continue until long after the last swashbuckling pirate has paraded through the streets!

• Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival

  When: 2009 Dates TBD

  The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, Inc. exists to offer the Tampa Bay Area community a unique blend of African and African American art, culture and history; serving as a conduit for promoting and perpetuating the art, culture and history of Africans and African Americans for the benefit of all in the Tampa Bay Area in a context that is both educational and entertaining. It exists to support the rich and diverse Tampa Bay Area community by ensuring all events are inclusive of its entire people.

• Florida State Fair

  When: From February 5-16, 2009

  The annual Florida State Fair is a salute to the state's best in the agriculture and equestrian industry including an abundance of shows, music, rides, food and shopping for 12 consecutive days. Excitement is in the air all over the fairgrounds with plenty of free entertainment included with admission. Make sure to plan your day in advance to enjoy all the sights, sounds, and tastes the state fair has to offer.

• Gasparilla Festival of the Arts

  When: First weekend in March

  With some of the country’s most accomplished artists and rising stars vying for the $15,000 Raymond James Best of Show Award and an additional $52,500 in prize money, a showcase featuring the works of local young artists, a weekend full of live entertainment, and a children’s art activity area, it's no wonder the festival is widely recognized as one of the top-rated outdoor fine art and craft shows in the country.

• Tampa Bay Blues Fest

  When: Tentative dates from 3/27/09-3/29/09

  Each year since 1995 the Tampa Bay Blues Festival has been staged at beautiful Vinoy Waterfront Park in downtown St. Petersburg. The park is located on the shores of scenic Tampa Bay, with the famous St. Petersburg Pier providing a brilliant backdrop for the festival. With its acres of plush grass and palm trees, Vinoy Park is the perfect tropical setting for one of the world's greatest blues festivals.

• The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

  When: 2009 Dates TBD

  The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg & Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg is a unique, 3-day festival event on the beautiful waterfront of downtown St. Petersburg, FL featuring the IndyCar Series, Indy Pro Series, and American Le Mans Series, as well as a yacht club, airshows, drifting exhibitions, concerts, interactive attractions, parties and family entertainment.

• Plant City Bike Fest

  When: From 12/1/07 to 11/1/08

  Downtown Plant City will be biker-central, as thousands of bikers and motorcycle fans gather for the monthly Plant City Bike Fest. Attendees will enjoy live music, food, a 50/50 drawing with door prizes, and see thousands of motorcycles on display.

• Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center

  • The Lion King - From 5/8/08 to 6/22/08
  • Jesus Christ Superstar - From 6/26/08-6/29/08
  • Mamma Mia! - From 8/19/08 to 8/24/08
  • The Phantom of the Opera - From 10/30/08 to 11/22/08
  • Waistwatchers, The Calorie-Free Musical - From 2/6/09 to 5/17/09
  • Spamalot - From 3/3/09-3/8/09
  • Riverdance - From 1/20/09-1/25/09