Between the television spots, streaming ads, social media pitches, and glossy mailers, it can feel like the Nov. 3 midterm election is the only thing happening in the Tampa Bay area. It isn’t.
Voters have noticed. A survey found about a third of American adults were already fed up with political advertising in July, months before the final push. For residents who would rather spend a weekend with family, neighbors and local vendors than with another attack ad, the region’s fall calendar has plenty to offer. Churches, farms, nonprofits, and small businesses run many of these events.
This weekend
- Art Fair Tampa, Oct. 15-18, Tampa Convention Center
- Bubble Run, Oct. 17, 8 a.m., Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa
- Pumpkin Splash & Patch, Oct. 17, 9 to 11 a.m., New Port Richey Recreational & Aquatic Center
- 3rd Annual Pinellas Honey Fest, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Harborside Church, Safety Harbor
- 3rd Annual Harvest Festival, Oct. 17-18 and 24-25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dakin Dairy Farms, Myakka City
- Harvest Days, Oct. 17-18, 24-25 and 31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Keel Farms, Plant City
- St. Pete Fall Festival, Oct. 17-18, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., St. Pete Pier
- Fall Fest, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa
- Halloween Festival, Oct. 17, 5 to 9 p.m., Clearwater Academy International
- Yuengling Oktoberfest, Oct. 17, 5 to 10 p.m., Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen, Tampa
- Good Folk Fest, Oct. 17, 6 to 9 p.m., St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club
- Performer Purgatory, Oct. 17, 8 to 10 p.m., FloridaRAMA, St. Petersburg
- Art in the Park, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pioneer Park, Dunedin
- Upper Tampa Bay Car Show & Octoberfest, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tampa Bay Downs, Tampa
Next weekend
- American Vintage Markets, Oct. 23-24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Robarts Arena, Sarasota
- OctMotorfest Fall Car Show, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Heritage Village, Largo
- Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk, Oct. 24, 8 a.m., Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg
- Pack the Park for Pack a Sack, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sims Park, New Port Richey
- Tampa Bay Coffee & Art Festival, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa
- 15th Annual A Night At The Museum, Oct. 24, timed entry from 2 p.m., final entry at 5 p.m., Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa
- Halloween on Central, Oct. 25, noon to 5 p.m., Central Avenue, Edge and Grand Central Districts, St. Petersburg
Halloween week
- Sarasota Fall Festival, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, The Mall at University Town Center
- Fall Festival, Oct. 30, 6 to 9 p.m., First Baptist Church New Port Richey
- Runway Pumpkin 5K & Family Fest, Oct. 31, 8 a.m., Child Protection Center, North Port
November
- Festival of Skeletons, Nov. 6, 6 to 9 p.m., and Nov. 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Village of the Arts, Bradenton
- St. Pete Yoga Fest, Nov. 7, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., St. Pete Pier
- Manatee River Art Guild’s Art & Craft Show, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Waterlefe River Club, Bradenton
- St. Pete Country Fest, Nov. 20-22, Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg
- Fall Carnival Weekend, Nov. 20-23, Starkey Market, New Port Richey
- Champions for Children Gala, Nov. 21, 6 p.m., The Ora, Sarasota
Organizers encourage anyone planning a fall event to submit it to community calendars so neighbors can find it. Times and details may change, so check with each organizer before heading out.
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St. Pete-Clearwater Sun: local St. Pete-Clearwater & Tampa Bay, FL news at PIE-Sun.com