Welcome back! Just last week I was sharing about the snow day in St. Pete 49 years ago, and now it looks like there’s a (fairly unlikely) chance we get some snow this weekend! Still, seeing what it’s like in so much of the rest of the country, I’ll take it. Hopefully, it’s not too cold for the pirate festivities this weekend—good luck to you if you’re braving the elements! Let’s dive in.

Today’s Throwback Thursday looks back 50 years at Gasparilla in 1976. If you didn’t know, Ye Mystic Crewe has been invading Tampa since 1904 based on the theme of the famous (and dubious) legend of the pirate Jose Gaspar.

The parade weekend has become one of Tampa’s signature events, so be ready to see pirates roaming the streets regardless of which side of the bay you’re on. If you think you want to head over to attend, you can see the schedule here.

You might want to wait until it warms up a bit, but if you’re looking for a fun (and walkable) way to explore some of the best of the Warehouse Arts District, here’s a great way to do it.

☕️ Start at Concrete Coffee for breakfast.
🔎 Head to FloridaRAMA right across the street for a scavenger hunt.
🎨 Stroll down the road to the Duncan McClellan Gallery to see amazing glass sculptures.
🪑 Walk over to Expectations Gallery/Retrospect Furniture to shop a huge collection of vintage goodies.

(If you get hungry between, you can also check out St. Pete Athletic for lunch).

A proposal for a multi-berth cruise terminal on the seaward side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is currently sparking discussion across the Bay. The project, tentatively called the Knott-Cowen Cruise Port, aims to accommodate larger vessels restricted by the bridge's height, with developers claiming significant job growth for the region. Meanwhile, groups like Suncoast Waterkeeper have raised questions regarding the potential impact on the nearby Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, vitally important seagrass beds/mangroves, and the local economy the depends on these waters.

If you’d like to learn more or help voice your opinion, visit the Suncoast Water Keeper.

Williams Park has a long and storied history, but it’s definitely time for a little TLC. New improvements are officially in the works with a double focus on safety and community engagement. Plans include improving entrances, electrical infrastructure, sightlines, and targeted landscape/hardscape upgrades with a goal of enabling consistent day-to-day programming and amenities. Combined with plans to upgrade the bandshell, the city aims to turn the park back into the vibrant community anchor it’s meant to be.

Some residents have voiced concern about the issue of homelessness (and lack of discussion about it in these plans), as the park frequently serves as a congregation place for homeless individuals who may be pushed out. While homelessness is outside the scope of this specific project, hopefully the city will be taking those concerns into account as well.

See what’s planned.

Shoreline Protection: St. Pete has launched a comprehensive Seawall Master Plan to address coastal flooding and sea-level rise, and the City is seeking resident input via a virtual meeting and online survey. Share your feedback.

Individual Artist Grants: To support the local creative economy, the City is offering $5,000 grants to up to 15 professional artists to help advance their creative practice. Applications are being accepted through February 27, and you can find full eligibility details here.

Want to spread the word about your business, a project you’re working on, an exciting event, a hiring opportunity, or just want to say hi to thousands of neighbors?

DOODLE TEE: Hand drawn and screen printed right here in St. Pete in collaboration with local print company Sick Dope Fresh. Available as both a crop top and t-shirt. Get yours before they’re gone.

CATCH OF THE DAY: Adopt Davey the dog or Norma the cat.

FLIGHT DEAL: Fly out of Tampa to Charleston for a week on Feb 20 for $103 round trip, which is 56% lower than usual.

‘BURG ABODES: Florida man house. $500,000 | 3bd 3ba | 4,107 sqft. Pirate’s cove, atomic age kitchen, saloon, indoor waterfall, blues brothers, hot rods, and more. This one’s pending already, but it’s gone viral online as the “Florida man house,” and it’s quite the sight.

LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE - Panther

Bandit’s 10th Anniversary Bash | Bandit Coffee Co. | Jan 30 – Feb 1, hours vary | Free

Our friends at Bandit Coffee Co. are hitting the double digits, and they’re celebrating a decade in St. Pete with a weekend-long party! Starting Friday, you can snag their legendary Birthday Cake Latte (always vegan!) and the fan-favorite Bandit Crunchwrap while supplies last.

The main event kicks off Sunday, Feb 1, with a parking lot takeover from 10am–2pm featuring an Anniversary Market with local favorites like O'Berry’s Succulents, St. Pete Ferments, and the Friends of Strays mobile. Stick around for the evening vibes starting at 4pm with a cookout at Small Bar, a live jazz trio, and a neighborly raffle benefiting our local furry friends.

Pro Tip: Sunday transactions in-café automatically enter you into the raffle for a chance to win prize packs from fellow Grand Central businesses!.

Shop with Lucy Sparrow | FloridaRAMA | Jan 31 – Feb 1, 2–6 PM | $19+

Lucy Sparrow, the internationally acclaimed British artist known for her incredible life-sized felt replicas, is returning to FloridaRAMA for two days only. This is your final chance to meet her in person and shop her latest "Sugar Rush" collection—a felted candy shop featuring 18,000 newly handmade confections.

Located in the heart of the Warehouse Arts District at The Factory, FloridaRAMA has been home to "Lucy Sparrow’s Quick Shop," a convenience store where everything from the potato chips to the aspirin bottles is made of hand-stitched felt. Don't miss this opportunity to grab a one-of-a-kind souvenir from a world-renowned artist before she heads off to her next global stop!

I Smell Snow Night | Green Bench Brewing | Jan 29, 7-10pm | Free
Gilmore Girls episodes, pop-up, goods.

Gasparilla Movie Night | St. Petersburg Distillery | Jan 30, 7pm | Free
Pirates movie, cocktails, distillery tours.

St. Pete Critical Mass | Williams Park (Near the Fountain) | Jan 30, 7:00 PM | Free
Laid-back group bicycle ride for all.

Sip, Savor, and Swoon: A Night of Wine & Chocolate | Schakolad Chocolate Factory | Jan 30, 6-8pm | $35 🎟️
Wine, chocolate pairing, cacao lesson.

MAACM Charles Rennie Mackintosh Rose Glass Class | Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement | Jan 30, 10am-1pm | $125 (Non-members), $110 (Members) 🎟️
Leaded glass class crafts Mackintosh panel.

The Yeah Babys | Cage Brewing | Jan 31, 7:30-11pm | Free
Tampa Bay band plays home base.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest | Bayshore Blvd, Tampa | Jan 31, 11:30am-7:30pm | Free - $65+
Pirates invade Tampa for parade.

TCG Market & Trade Night | Coastal Creative | Jan 31, 11am-8pm | Free 🎟️
Free market, trade, and community.

Pokémon Trainer Pass Experience | Imagine Museum | Jan 31, 10am-8pm | $5 🎟️
Pokémon activities, market, treats, fun.

Ultra Block Party Relay Race | Green Bench Brewing Co. (Baum Ave Block) | Jan 31, 8am-8pm | Varies 🎟️
12-hour relay benefits children's fund.

The Rocket Man Show | Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater | Jan 31, 7:30pm | $52.10+ 🎟️
Elton John tribute show features costumes.

Saturday Morning Market | Al Lang Stadium | Jan 31, 9am-2pm | Free
Fresh produce, food, makers, fun.

Wellness Social | Moxy St. Pete | Feb 1, 11am-3pm | Free
Hourly fitness classes and live DJ.

2026 NHL Stadium Series: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins | Raymond James Stadium | Feb 1, 6:30pm | Varies (Resale available) 🎟️
Outdoor NHL game in Florida.

Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular | Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater | Feb 1, 7:30pm | $52.10+ 🎟️
Psychedelic music, lasers, and video effects.

Kenwood Sunday Market | St. Pete High School | Feb 1, 10am-2pm | Free
Weekly local market, food, crafts.

Corey Ave Sunday Market | Corey Ave | Feb 1, 10am-2pm | Free
Sunday market with many vendors.

Brewers Market | Pee-Pa's Garage | Feb 1, 12-4pm | Free
Shop local vendors, food, drinks.

Art Festival Beth-El | Temple Beth-El | Jan 31-Feb 1, hours vary | Free-$50+ 🎟️
Premier fine art exhibit and sale.

State of the City Address | Palladium Theater/online | Feb 4, 10am | Free
Mayor Welch celebrates city accomplishments.

Florida State Fair | Florida State Fairgrounds | Feb 5-16, 10am-9pm | $7 - $16 🎟️
Food, rides, animals, fun festival.

Barista Olympics | The Under Grounds Coffee Co | Feb 5, 6:30pm | Free
Three round barista skills competition.

Baroque Unbound: Immersive Opera | Museum of Fine Arts | Feb 5, 6:30-8:30pm | $40-$50 🎟️
Immersive opera performance through galleries.

Want to see events beyond the next week? Use the guide below.

Looking for details on markets this week?

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Stay Sunny,
Josh