Five outdoor happenings — well, mostly — to get you in the mood for spring now through Sunday.
From 5 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Sunday, fill your weekend will a celebration of Filipino culture at Tampa's 21st Annual PhilFest. Filipino cuisine from vendors like Aling Fely's Filipino Specialties, Mercel's and Ice Ice Boba will be featured at the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex. In addition to the bites, festgoers will enjoy live entertainment, face painting, shopping and more. Tickets are available at the door and certain local merchants. $5 in advance, $7 at the door. 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa, 813-925-1232.
For more fun in Tampa Friday through Sunday, check out the grand opening of Duckweed Urban Grocery in the Channel District. Check out CL's preview of the event. Free, money for goodies. 111 N. 12th St., Tampa.
There's also the Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival, which runs every Saturday and Sunday until April 24. Here, guests will find wine and craft beer samples, demonstrations from food experts and live music, plus more than 15 new food offerings. Drinks and food aren't included with park admission. $79 and up. 10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa, 1-888-800-5447.
In St. Petersburg, get over to Red Tiki Bar for a free cookout. The event, held the first Saturday of every month, kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday and highlights drink specials in addition to the grub. Don't miss the bar's cornhole, horseshoe toss, mechanical bull or live music. Free, money for drinks. 7361 46th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-914-8928.
Florida plants and flowers are set to be the focus of Tampa's GreenFest. Held at Henry B. Plant Park between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, this gardening and environmental gathering will help guests with their landscape needs through a plant sale and gardener talks on topics like composting and orchid repotting. 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.
This article appears in Mar 31 – Apr 6, 2016.