What’s up Sunny Squad! Who’s ready to go fast this weekend? Today’s newsletter’s got your guide to the Grand Prix, a review of one of the coolest museums in St. Pete (plus how to get free admission next week), and some city updates.
Ok, enough chit-chat. If you ain’t first, you’re last. So, let’s dive in.
THE GRAND PRIX GUIDE
It’s the St. Pete Grand Prix weekend, and we’ve got you covered with all the details if you’ve got a need for speed.
What’s New for 2026?
The big news this year is history in the making: the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is making its first-ever street-race debut on Saturday! To make sure you don't miss a second of this year’s 200 mph action, organizers have also bumped the count to nine total videoboards around the circuit. If you need a breather, hit the new Nowadays Club north of Al Lang Stadium for some shaded seating.
The Schedule
Thursday, Feb 26: Kick things off early at City Hall for the flag raising at 10 am. Later, join the free Party in the Park at North Straub (4–7 pm) to see the cars up close, followed by the 5K run on the actual track.
Friday, Feb 27: Gates open at 7:30 am. Use Friday to scope out the GA areas at Turn 1 and Turn 10 before the heavy Saturday crowds arrive.
Saturday, Feb 28: NASCAR trucks take the green flag at noon. Indycar qualifying is at 4:30 pm.
Sunday, March 1: Indycar NXT (developmental series for young drivers) is at 10am. Then the main event, the 100-lap IndyCar finale, starts at 12:29 pm. After the checkers fly, head toward Central Ave to celebrate with the rest of the city.
Where to Watch
Turn 1 is the go-to spot for heart-pounding passing drama. For a more family-friendly vibe, Pioneer Park is a shaded "gem" near the SpeedZone. If you want a unique view, the Horse Soldier Bourbon Waterside Club lets you watch from a floating dock in the bay.
Parking & Tickets
Ditch the traffic and hop on the SunRunner—it’s the official ride of the GP. Use code “CREW” in the Flamingo Fares app for a $3 group pass. If you must drive, Tropicana Field (Lots 6 & 7) offers $30 cashless parking with a free shuttle to the track.
Tickets start at $30 for Friday GA, while a 3-day pass is your best value at $80. Bonus: the $10 processing fee has been eliminated for 2026!
Pro Tips:
Hydrate: Bring one empty refillable water bottle and use the refill stations.
Sun Prep: Aerosol sunscreen is a no-go at the gates; bring the liquid or cream version instead.
Ear Safety: These cars are loud! Bring high-fidelity earplugs, especially for the little ones.
WILD WILD WEST (COAST)
Who would’ve thought that one of the coolest museums for Western Art would be found on the Florida Gulf Coast? That’s exactly what the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art is, and it’s located right in the heart of downtown St. Pete.
Visit the museum, and one of the first things you’ll notice is the architecture. Step in the door, and you feel you just walked into a canyon out west. The artwork here ranges from paintings, sculptures, photographs, artifacts, and more, with an overarching theme of the American West, Native Americans, and world wildlife. All of it is absolutely incredible, and I highly recommend the trip!
Right now, there’s a special exhibit called “Edward S. Curtis: Photographer of his Time” that showcases three decades of Curtis’s work photographing Native American culture. The portraits were amazing, and seeing how his work changed over time was extremely cool. This exhibit runs through March 29 and is included with admission.
This upcoming Tuesday, March, you can get free admission to check out the museum from 12-8pm for World Wildlife Day. Get your free tickets.
CIVIC NEWS
Booker Creek Trail Extension: St. Petersburg will purchase a .86-mile segment of decommissioned railroad tracks from CSX Transportation for $7 million to extend the trail. It will connect neighborhoods with the EDGE District, running through the Historic Gas Plant District and linking to the Pinellas Trail. The city, along with stakeholders Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill and Ellison Development, will fund the project.
Hazardous Waste Disposal Event: Dispose of chemicals, paint, fuel, and batteries safely at St. Petersburg College - Gibbs Campus (6605 5th Ave. N) on Saturday, March 7, from 9 am to 2 pm. If you live in south or west St. Pete, this is a lot shorter trek than the HHW center by Gandy.
LAST CALL! THE DINNER BELL IS RINGING
We’re nearly at capacity and registration closes at the end of the weekend!
Age Range: We have signups across the entire spectrum! Your age is used as a key matching criterion for your specific group.
Couples: You’re welcome to join! Currently, couples are likely placed in separate groups to keep the dynamic balanced for individuals, but you’ll reunite at the afterparty nearby.
Locations: It’s a surprise! We match you based on your budget and dietary preferences. You’ll receive your restaurant assignment the morning of the event and the afterparty location via text after dinner.
Price: It’s $15 to book your seat, which covers the logistics like matching, reservations, and communication. Based on your quiz answer for budget preference, you'll get matched to a restaurant, which helps keep the event accessible for more people.
BAYFRONT BULLETIN
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?
SPONSORS WANTED: To help support this (one-man) newsletter operation and its mission of providing a FREE resource to bring the community together, we’re looking for sponsors! Partner with us.
SUNNY EMBROIDERED CORD CAP: If you see a bald dude wearing one of these around town, odds are it’s me. I wear mine daily, and customers have worn them all around the country! Check it out.
FLIGHT DEAL: Week trip from PIE to Key West for only $86 in May. You deserve a vacation
‘BURG ABODES: Concrete block townhome in Crescent Lake $1,135,000 | 3bd 2.5ba | 2,371 sqft. Built strong and in one of the best locations!
LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE: Mockingbird
LOGBOOK
CONDITIONS |
|---|
SUNRISE 6:58am ↑ |
SUNSET 6:29pm ↓ |
MOON waxing gibbous |
LOW TIDE 4:53am |
HIGH TIDE 8:59pm |
WEEKEND TEMPS ~62°F - 75°F |
WEEKEND RAIN 80% chance late Fri into early Sat |
SKY: There’ll be a blood moon total lunar eclipse on March 3 (next Tuesday). The moon will turn a dark, rusty red color in the early morning. Look to the west between 3:44 and 7am, but the earlier the better as the moon will start to set as the eclipse reaches totality (between 6 and 7am).
SUPPORT SUNNY ST. PETE
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!
WHAT’S AFLOAT
FRESH CAUGHT FEATURES
Pickleball on the Pier | St. Pete Pier | Feb 20 - April 10, hours vary | $10 🎟️
Experience the thrill of the fastest-growing sport at one of St. Pete’s most iconic waterfront locations! St. Pete Athletic is bringing the court to the Pier for a limited time. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just pickle-curious, come play, connect, and enjoy the bay breeze.
The courts are open daily near the Splash Pad from Feb 20 to April 10. Grab your friends for a match Sunday–Thursday (10am–7pm) or catch the early sessions Friday–Saturday (8am–7pm).
Your $10 daily pass includes all-day play plus paddle and ball rentals. St. Pete Athletic members play for free!
THURSDAY 26
5K Run - Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg | North Straub Park | Feb 26, 5:00 PM | $40 - $50 🎟️
Run on track benefiting PAL.
Sip & Savor | Red Mesa Cantina | Feb 26, 7-9pm | $65 🎟️
Tequila tasting with food pairings
FRIDAY 27
Firestone Grand Prix | Downtown St. Pete | Feb 27-Mar 1, Hours vary | $30+ 🎟️
Annual street circuit racing season opener
St. Pete Critical Mass | Williams Park | Feb 27, 7pm | Free
Monthly community bicycle safety ride
Iconic: Hands-On Edition | Morean Center for Clay | Feb 27, 6-10pm | $150+ 🎟️
Immersive art and community evening
St. Pete Garden Club Flea Market | Garden Club of St. Petersburg | Feb 27, 9am-3pm | Free
Flea market benefiting hurricane recovery
Dill Dinkers Grand Opening | Dill Dinkers | Feb 27, 2-7:30pm | Free
Pickleball play, clinics, and prizes
SATURDAY 28
Firestone Grand Prix | Downtown St. Pete | Feb 27-Mar 1, Hours vary | $30+ 🎟️
Annual INDYCAR season opener race
Coastal Resin Art Workshop | Wave Makers Workshop | Feb 28, 11am-12:30pm | $65 🎟️
Design beach-themed framed resin art.
Auto Show | Imagine Museum | Feb 28, 10am-4pm | Free
Outdoor car show and competition
Planetary Parade Sound Healing | Gulf Orchids, 5313 Gulfport Blvd S, Gulfport, FL 33707, USA | Feb 28, 2-3pm | $33 🎟️
Restorative sound bath among plants
Vermiculture Class | 5418 19th Ave S | Feb 28, 10am | Free - $30 🎟️
Learn worm composting and gardening.
St Pete Street Market | Pinellas Ale Works | Feb 28, 12-4pm | Free
Local makers and craft brews.
Secondhand Market | St. Pete Youth Farm | Feb 28, 9am-12pm | Free
Community sale for reusing items
Sausage Fest | German American Society of Pinellas County | Feb 28, 11am-8pm | $5-$8 🎟️
Gourmet sausages and live music
Sip n' Paint | Beech Kombucha | Feb 28, 4-6pm | $45 🎟️
Guided painting with kombucha flight
Scrap & Yap (A Junk Journal Event) | Tealicous Cafe | Feb 28, 3-6pm | $25 🎟️
Community junk journaling creative gathering
SUNDAY 1
Firestone Grand Prix | Downtown St. Pete | Feb 27-Mar 1, Hours vary | $30+ 🎟️
Annual street circuit season opener
Kinusaiga Art Class | i am so not cool vintage | Mar 1, 3:30-6pm | $25+ 🎟️
Explore the beautiful Japanese art of kinusaiga
TUESDAY 3
MAACM: FLW Lake Geneva Tulip Glass Class | Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement | Mar 3 & 10, 10am-1pm | $110-$125 🎟️
Two-session Frank Lloyd Wright workshop
Butterfly Dreams | Imagine Museum | Mar 3, 5-7pm | $45 🎟️
Craft stained glass butterfly art
THURSDAY 5
Baroque Resonance: Classical Guitar with René Izquierdo | Museum of Fine Arts | Mar 5, 7-8pm | $15-$35 🎟️
Classical guitar performance featuring Izquierdo
ON THE HORIZON
Want to see events beyond the weekend? Use the guide below.
MARKETS
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
