Hey Sunny Squad! Fancy seeing you here. It was great meeting all of you who came out to the first Dinner Club yesterday! I had a blast, we had an awesome turnout, and feedback so far has been great! I can’t wait to do another event with y’all soon (more on that next week).

Sunny St. Pete has grown beyond my wildest expectations from when I started sharing the things I love about (what I consider) the best city in the country. As we cross 6,500 readers, I wanted to check back in with y’all on what you’re enjoying most, so I can continue providing the best resource for you, my friends! With that, I’d love some very short feedback from you!

Get Up and Go Kayaking has been named the No. 1 Nature & Outdoor Activity in the U.S. for 2026! This Shell Key Preserve tour is done on clear kayaks so you can see the grass flats and shallows below you. My family loves to launch our paddleboards or kayaks over by Shell Key; it’s one of our go-to activities when we have out-of-town visitors. We regularly see manatees, dolphins, and enterprising birds that like to follow behind/under the boards to snag fish. So, I can only imagine how amazing it would be to watch all that from a transparent kayak.

The award is based on the quantity of positive reviews over the previous year, and even getting on the list puts you in the top 1% of the 8 million TripAdvisor listings. Arguably more impressive than coming in at #1 in the U.S. is the fact that it ranked #2 in the entire world! You get a guided tour through mangroves and along sandbars in a small group with an experienced guide.

Even though we’ve got our own equipment, my family plans on booking a tour here shortly to get this full experience. Book your tour!

USA Today just named the Dalí Museum the #5 Best Art Museum in the country according to their Reader’s Choice Awards. The museum has one of the largest collections on Dalí’s works in the world (more than 2,400 pieces), but also has so much more to offer, including its renowned architecture and the Dalí Dome. The Dome is a 360-degree projection space (only one in Florida) that runs special shows like the Starry Night experience or the currently-running Queen Heaven experience (shoutout to Freddie Mercury and my favorite rock band of all time).

Plus, the Dalí is about to get even bigger and better! They just announced a $65 million, 35,000 sqft expansion for “experiential exhibitions that blend art and technology, a dedicated learning center serving K-12 students and lifelong learners and community-focused spaces.” See more about the expansion.

These awards highlight exactly what makes St. Pete such a special place to live and visit. We’re so lucky to have award-winning nature and culture experiences in such close proximity, and it underscores why preserving the arts and nature matters!

Plan your visit to the Dalí.

Heads up! Shorebird nesting season is back! Between February 15th and August 31st, our local beaches become a home for several vulnerable species. Since their nests are just tiny dips in the sand, remember to watch your step and respect the signs so our feathered neighbors can have a successful season. If you are out at the beach, it’s quite a cool sight to see big crowds of these unique birds. Here’s a few of the most common ones you’ll come across around 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?

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SUNNY CIRCLE TEE: Super soft and flattering on anyone. Get yours.

CATCH OF THE DAY: Meet River the dog or Dumbeldore the cat.

FLIGHT DEAL: Week trip from PIE to Concord for only $86 (20% less than usual) at the end of May.

‘BURG ABODES: Sunny Bungalow in Woodlawn. $895,000 | 4bd 3ba | 2,239 sqft.

LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE: Cowboy

Your contributions go directly towards keeping Sunny St. Pete alive and well so we can have more fun and build a stronger community. I appreciate any and all contributions to keep this locally-owned newsletter (and passion project of mine) going strong!

St. Pete CommUNITY Festival 2026 | Azalea Park | March 7, 1pm – 9:30pm | FREE

Celebrate the vibrant spirit of St. Pete on Saturday, March 7, with an inclusive day of live music, fire spinning, and immersive art installations across Azalea Park. Explore the new Shakedown Street creative corridor, enjoy local food trucks, and catch exciting demonstrations from the SPPD K-9 Unit and Birds of Prey. This family-friendly event is free to attend, though donations of nonperishable food for the Love Thy Neighbor Food Pantry are encouraged.

Greetings From Florida: Lager Celebration | Green Bench Brewing | March 13, 5 - 9pm | $75

Dust off your Hawaiian shirts! Green Bench Brewing and BarrieHaus Beer Co. are teaming up for the fourth annual "Greetings From Florida," the ultimate celebration of the crispest lagers from across the country and beyond.

This immersive festival features over 75 lagers on tap from more than 30 world-class breweries—including several making their Florida debut. Your all-inclusive ticket grants you unlimited pours, a commemorative glass mug to take home, and Florida-inspired entertainment to keep the vibes high.

This event typically sells out. Grab your tickets online early to ensure your spot!

Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Mar 6-May 10, 12pm-close | Included w/ admission 🎟️
Food, wine, and free concerts.

First Friday St. Pete | Central Ave | Mar 6, 6-10pm | Free
St. Petersburg's massive block party.

Mirror Lake Championship | St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club | Mar 7-8, hours vary | $35 🎟️
Amateur singles tournament with prizes

Embracing Our Differences Art Exhibit | Poynter Park | Mar 7-Apr 12, hours vary | Free
Outdoor art focused on diversity.

YMCA Power Up For Health | Speer YMCA | Mar 7, 8am-12pm | $40 🎟️
Fitness event supporting community health

Imagine Fusion Fashion Show | Imagine Museum | Mar 7, 6-9pm | $65+ 🎟️
Art museum avant-garde fashion runway

Mahjong Game Night | Blush Tea and Coffee | Mar 7, 6-9pm | Free (spots limited - arrive early)
Social evening with beginner lessons

Fort Tour | Fort De Soto Park | Mar 7, 11-11:45am | Free 🎟️
Guided ranger tour of fort.

Bird Walk | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Mar 7, 8-10am | Free 🎟️
Learn native bird species' habitats.

Wildlife Discovery Night | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Mar 7, 10am-3pm | Free
Family nature activities exploring wildlife

Astronomy Night | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Mar 7, 7-9pm | $5
Stargaze with telescopes and volunteers

International Women's Day Mural Run | St. Pete Running and Coffee | Mar 8, 8am | $10 🎟️
Guided four-mile mural run celebration

Fort Tour | Fort De Soto Park | Mar 8, 11-11:45am | Free 🎟️
Guided park ranger historical exploration

Want to see events beyond the weekend? Use the guide below.

Looking for details on markets this week?

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Thanks so much for reading! As always, you can reply directly to this email with any feedback.

Stay Sunny,
Josh