Urban Oasis Hydroponic Farm Market- Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Get fresh, organically grown hydroponic veggies straight from this CSA farm in Carrollwood. Open to the public. Arrive early for best selection! 5416 West Linebaugh Avenue, Tampa, 813-293-3276; urbanoasisfarm.com
World Cafe Discussions: Fridays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Awakening and engaging collective intelligence through conversations about questions that matter. RSVP to Pat at 727.421.2746 or goodpat@tampabay.rr.com. Starbucks Cafe- 4th St N and 89th Ave N, St. Pete. www.theworldcafe.com.
Dunedin Green Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (through July 30)
Featuring fresh, local produced goods such as baked good, ready-to-eat-foods, organic plants and herbs, coffee, honey, seafood, clothing, and so much more. The Dunedin Green Market is located in Pioneer Park at the cross streets of Douglas Avenue and Main Street in Downtown Dunedin. dunedingov.com
Brooksville Saturday Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
An array of vendors offering food, goods, plants, organics and more at this weekly event. 20 N. Main St., Brooksville, 352-428-9275.
Winthrop Town Center Farmers Market: 8 a.m.
Complete with more handcrafted goods, fresh fruits, veggies, and boiled peanuts than you can shake a stick at. 1109 Winthrop Market St., Riverview, 813-601-3129
St. Pete Saturday Morning Market: Every Saturday 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (through August 27)
Featuring locally grown fresh produce, prepared foods, baked goods, plants, flowers, herbs, handcrafted gifts, live music, and so much more under the shade trees in Williams Park. 1st Ave N between 3rd and 4th Streets, St. Pete, saturdaymorningmarket.com
Ybor Saturday Market: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (year-round)
You'll be sure to find great produce at great prices, gourmet foods and sauces, fresh baked breads, fresh eggs, prepared foods, orchids, herbs and plants, pet treats, honey, unique gifts, photography, artwork, jewelry, woodworking, bath and body products, candles, and so much more. Centennial Park at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 19th Street, Ybor, ybormarket.com
Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve: Saturdays, 9-11 a.m.
Guided hikes through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the Preserve are held on most Saturdays of the month. Join us to learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. Be sure to bring water and a snack for this 2-hour hike. A hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. Reserve your space by 2 pm on the Friday prior to the tour of choice. This event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Recommended ages: 6 and up. Weedon Island Preserve- 1800 Weedon Drive N.E. St. Petersburg, 727-453-6500.
Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve: Saturdays, 9-11 a.m.
Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join us for this 0.75 mile walk as we look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. Pre-registration is required by 12:00 noon on the Friday before the hike. Admission: Free. All ages welcome; children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. 3940 Keystone Rd. Tarpon Springs, 727-453-6800
Green Acre Organics Aquaponic Farm: First Saturdays, 11 a.m.
Free tours of this unique aquaponics farm. Small and large groups welcome. Free. 26452 Richbarn Road, Brooksville, 352-302-7395
Fresh Market at Wiregrass Mall: First and third Saturdays (year-round); 10 am-3 pm.
A short distance from the city's hub, The Shops at Wiregrass, a main-street style, pedestrian-friendly, outdoor lifestyle village hosts an open-air Fresh Market located on Paseo Drive and features 50+ Vendors selling only fresh, local, homemade, handcrafted and eco-friendly products. 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel. TheShopsatWiregrass.com
Odessa Open Market: First and third Sundays (year-round); , 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Find 100% organic and locally grown produce as well as local raw honey, Dancing Goat Dairy products, plants, food vendors and more. 8701 Gunn Hwy, Odessa, 813-944-8654, odessaorganic@gmail.com
Hyde Park Village Fresh Market- Sunday, July 3; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
This is a monthly event giving the people of Tampa Bay yet another opportunity to buy a variety of locally-produced products. Modeled after the Tampa Downtown Market and the Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market, this market will feature over 70 vendors offering fresh produce, handmade arts and crafts, delicious food, live music, cooking demonstrations and a local massage therapist. Admission and parking are free to the public and friendly dogs on leashes are always welcome at the Fresh Market and in Hyde Park Village. For more information, visit www.hydeparkvillage.net or call 813-251-3500. 742 S. Village Circle, Tampa.
Pier Paddle: Every Sunday, 1 p.m.
A casual unstructured fun paddle around the Pier and the flats which includes a lap around Vinoy Basin, one lap of the future race course around The Pier and a run into the Municipal Marina to Fresco's Waterfront Restaurant. All Paddlers are invited and rental boards are available too. All are welcome. For rentals, contact Jesse@StandUpFitnessinc.com. Spa Beach at the foot of The Pier, downtown St. Pete, 727-510-1921
South Suncoast Pkwy Bike Hike: Sunday, July 3, 4 p.m.
Join the Tampa Bay Sierra Club as they ride from the State Road 52 entrance in Hudson to the State Road 54 site at the Chili's in Lutz. Stop at the Chili's for dinner and complete the path until it dead-ends at Van Dyke road, then turn back to State Rd 52 as this path runs along the Suncoast Parkway adjacent to Starkey Wilderness Preserve with natural scenery to enjoy. Contact Bonnie Aylor at Baylor@mail.usf.edu or (727) 277-2656 to RSVP.
This article appears in Jun 30 – Jul 6, 2011.