Welcome back, Sunny Squad!

We’ve got a jam-packed newsletter, and I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the first story. Plus, a couple unique new spots for you to check out and so much cuteness in our Mutt Madness Final Four.

Let’s dive in.

Country Thunder, the massive three-day country music festival, was planning to set up shop right on the beach at TradeWinds Island Resort in St. Pete Beach. We're talking 12,000 ticket holders a day, a main stage on the sand, 12 days of setup and teardown, headliners Kane Brown, Zach Top, and Shaboozey.

The problem? Sea turtle nesting season starts May 1. The festival kicks off May 8. You see where this is going.

St. Pete Beach City Manager Frances Robustelli sent a letter to TradeWinds last week directing them to move the event off the beach entirely — relocating it to the landward side of the resort, away from the dunes, the sand, and the wildlife that depends on it. No response from TradeWinds yet.

The big problem: that stretch of beach is an extremely important nesting area. A colony of 400 to 660 black skimmers — a state-threatened shorebird — has been nesting on St. Pete Beach since 2013. Beth Forys, an Eckerd College professor who's studied these birds for 32 years, says the colony represents roughly 6-10% of the remaining skimmer population in Florida. They've nested as close as 10 feet from where the main stage would go. Egg-laying typically starts in late April through May — directly overlapping with festival setup. Disturbance during breeding could delay nesting or cause the colony to abandon entirely.

On the sea turtle side, local patrol volunteer Lisa Reich says her logs show nests appearing in front of TradeWinds in the first weeks of May. She also flagged that TradeWinds cited a March 30 survey showing "no nests on the property" — but nesting season hadn't even started yet. "We never get sea turtle nests in March," Reich said. "This statement is totally irrelevant and intended to mislead people."

Tradewinds recently released a statement claiming they were working with all relevant environmental authorities, which has been directly rejected by the Florida Audubon Society and appears to be misleading regarding the other agencies. No permits have been issued — not from the city, not from FDEP, not from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Wildlife staff actually recommended the concert either be rescheduled outside nesting season or moved off the beach entirely. FDEP confirmed the event can't proceed without all required authorizations.

At a March 24 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Lisa Robinson asked Country Thunder's executive director about the incidental take permit they'd applied for — which would shield organizers from liability if threatened birds were harmed. "So you could kill birds?" Robinson asked. The answer was basically... we don’t want to, but yes.

The festival organizers say they've already sold nonrefundable tickets and booked talent, and have no backup venue. They've said they want to find a date outside nesting season for next year but just want to get through this year.

I used to live on St. Pete Beach, and I understand that the beach businesses could use the boost. But I’ve also seen the black skimmers and loggerhead turtles nesting on the beach, and this strikes me as a case of the right idea at the wrong time/place. A community group has organized under the slogan "Let them nest, move the fest," and a petition is circulating.

Matt Kaye, the hospitality operator behind The Bends, Wild Child, and Slim Charmer, is opening Easy Tiger — a hi-fi listening lounge and cocktail bar at 915 1st Avenue North in the EDGE District. The roughly 1,600-square-foot space sits just steps from The Bends, which Kaye opened in 2013 when the block was still a quiet stretch of the neighborhood. Easy Tiger is a collaboration between Kaye, his wife Victoria, and partners Chris Stone and Craig Dragoonis.

The concept centers on vinyl DJ sets played through a Klipsch Heritage and McIntosh amplification system tuned to deliver warm, immersive sound without drowning out conversation. Music programming will be curated by DJ Casper, a longtime fixture in Tampa Bay's music scene, with a rotating lineup of local and traveling DJs.

The cocktail program, led by beverage director Chris Trull, features around 15 to 18 drinks plus zero-proof options. I’ll need to try the marshmallow-infused tequila cocktail called Lavish Habits and El Tigre, a house martini built with Spanish gin, sherry, and pepper brine.

The building itself holds personal significance for Kaye, who purchased the property to preserve its character after redevelopment plans threatened the block.

Easy Tiger opens next Thursday, and I can’t wait to check out this unique addition to the nightlife scene. Follow them on Instagram for updates.

Here’s another edition of Coffee Corner, from St. Pete coffee expert Crista over at theburgcoffeeguide on Instagram.

About the shop: Lucky Cup Coffee Co. is a cutie bohemian hidden gem tucked inside the lobby of The Galaxy Hotel in Downtown St. Pete. House-made syrups, creative menu, women-owned. I love their origin story and the quiet + trendy sitting area in the hotel’s lobby. You can also take the elevator up to the patio to enjoy your drink along with great views of the city.

‘Burg Coffee Guide recommendation: Try the Orange Blossom off their spring menu. I got it served cold (as recommended) with orange cream cold foam. All of their beverages can be made with matcha or espresso.

Congratulations to the Final Four pups for Mutt Madness (benefitting Pet Pal Animal Shelter)! When voting, click on each picture to read a little about each doggo.

*If you have trouble voting on iPhone, there is an alternate link above the bracket after you click the voting link above!

A reminder of what’s up for grabs:

Voting Round Dates:

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?

DINNER CLUB: Only 7 of 120 spots left! Thursday, April 16 @ 6:30pm in Grand Central. Reserve your seat.

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

CATCH OF THE DAY: Adopt Nessa the dog or Quasar the cat.

FLIGHT DEAL: Nonstop round trip from Tampa to Denver at the end of April for only $80 (55% less than usual).

‘BURG ABODES: Two geodesic domes in Broadwater $995,000 | 3bd 2ba | 1,381sqft. Unique mid-century modern design.

LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE: Mulberry

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!

Adults take over the museum for the ultimate "grown-up playdate" at the annual Night at the Brewseum! This high-energy fundraiser transforms the exhibits into a craft beer playground featuring local pours from favorites like Green Bench and Gulfport Brewery.

Enjoy live music, local food pairings, and tons of games throughout the museum.

Experience the magic of Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical under the stars as American Stage returns to Demens Landing Park. Into the Woods weaves together iconic fairy tales—from Cinderella to Little Red Riding Hood—to explore what happens after "happily ever after" in a production that is as thought-provoking as it is enchanting.

Running Wednesdays through Sundays, this beloved St. Pete tradition features a live orchestra and a world-class cast. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or low-back chairs to enjoy the performance on the park’s sprawling lawn, with special theme nights throughout the run, including Pets in the Park (April 12) and Pride Night (April 19).

For Sunny St. Pete readers, you can get BOGO Free with discount code SCOOP26.

Tampa Bay Blues Festival | Vinoy Park | Apr 10-12, hours vary | $75-$800 🎟️
Waterfront blues artists and vendors

St. Pete Tech Week Coffee Run | Vinoy Park | Apr 10, 7–9am | Free
Free morning coffee for tech.

Jamboree at the James | James Museum | Apr 11, 6-10:30pm | $300+ 🎟️
Route 66 themed museum fundraiser

Florida Foodies Fest | Win! Derby | Apr 11-12, hours vary | Free
Two-day culinary showcase and races

Meet a Master Gardener | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Apr 11, 10:30-11:30am | Free
Expert gardening and plant advice

Pioneer Nights | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Apr 11, 6-10pm | $20 🎟️
Kids enjoy campfire and s'mores

Old Southeast Plant Swap/Sale & Raffle | The Chattaway | Apr 11, 9-11:30am | Free
Community plant exchange and sale.

Uptown Funk Market Earth Day Celebration | Expectations Gallery | Apr 11, 5-10pm | Free
Outdoor market with music, food.

Sip, Savor and Swoon: A Night of Wine & Chocolate | Schakolad Chocolate Factory | Apr 11, 5–7pm | $35 🎟️
Wine pours paired with chocolate

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Oakland Roots SC | Al Lang Stadium | Apr 11, 7:30pm | Prices vary 🎟️
USL Championship soccer match waterfront

Fresh Squeezed 10: Emerging Artists in Florida — Opening Reception | Morean Arts Center | Apr 11, 5–8pm | Free
Annual emerging Florida artists showcase

Dueling Pianos at 3 Daughters Brewing | 3 Daughters Brewing | Apr 11, 8–11pm | Free
Interactive request-driven piano battle performance

June Bunch: State Flower Ladies Exhibition Opening | Morean Arts Center | Apr 11, 5–8pm | Free
Art exhibition opening at Morean.

Indie Flea | Mirror Lake | Apr 12, 12-4pm | Free
Curated vintage and handmade market

Paws + Pours Dog Walk Club | Driftwood Cafe | Apr 12, 10am | Free 🎟️
Sunday dog walk with coffee.

Caterwalls: Cat-Themed Art Exhibition & Dance Party | Bayboro Brewing | Apr 12, 1–8pm | Free
Art fundraiser for stray cats

Want to see the full list of events this weekend and in the coming months? Plus, local shows and concerts coming up? Peep 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