Page 91 - Travel Guide to Florida 2020

ATTRACTIONS The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary in Indian
ANNUAL EVENTS
When it’s time to go wild, be sure to visit Big Shores (located between St. Petersburg and
Cat Rescue in Tampa. One of the largest Clearwater) is dedicated to the rescue,
accredited sanctuaries for exotic cats in the rehabilitation and hopeful release of sick, JANUARY
Downtown Dunedin Art Festival
world, this is home to about 60 lions, tigers, injured and orphaned birds.
Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Tampa
bobcats and cougars that have been rescued North of Indian Shores, Winter, the star Outback Bowl, Tampa
and are now cared for by loving staff and of Dolphin Tale movies, makes her home at
FEBRUARY
volunteers. the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and is
Brooksville Native American Festival
Another place to enjoy close encounters always happy to greet her fans. Plenty of
Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival
with animals is ZooTampa at Lowry Park. other marine life live alongside Winter: stop Dunedin Mardi Gras Parade and Festival
Spend a day with animals from Africa, and say hello to her friends, Hope and Gasparilla Distance Classic
Krewe of Sant’ Yago Illuminated Knight
Australia, Asia and beyond, learning about Nicholas, and the resident sea turtles, otters,
Parade, Tampa
their habitats and how to protect them, and stingrays, sharks, pelicans and clown fish.
you’ll easily see why it is highly rated. You can get out on the water here, too, on MARCH
Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
Located right across the Street from board the aquarium’s 90-minute Sea Life
Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City
Busch Gardens, Adventure Island is the Safari Boat Tour. Fort Cooper Days, Inverness
ultimate combination of high-speed thrills Take another look beneath the water and Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, Tampa
Tampa Pride
and tropical, tranquil surroundings for you’ll find mermaids in the crystal-clear
guests of all ages. For the slide of your life, waters at Weeki Wachee Springs. MARCH–APRIL
head over to Adventure Island Tampa Bay’s More amusement is found winding Food and Wine Festival, Busch Gardens
epic drop slide, Vanish Point, which is down the Weeki Wachee River on a Bayport Tampa Bay, weekends
located next to another family favorite, River Safari, cooling off in the indoor ice APRIL
Colossal Curl. rink at Florida Hospital Center Ice in Bern’s Winefest, Tampa
Downtown, discover all of the wonders Wesley Chapel, creating art at the Glazer Dunedin Highland Games & Festival
Mainsail Arts Festival, St. Petersburg
that lie beneath the water’s surface at The Children’s Museum in Tampa, indoor
Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, Clearwater Beach
Florida Aquarium. Meet penguins, dive with skydiving at the new iFLY in Brandon, and Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Races
sharks (SCUBA-certified only), swim with walking among life-size dinosaurs at
MAY
fish (for ages six and older) or sharks (for ages Dinosaur World in Plant City, not to
Riverfest, Tampa Riverwalk
nine and older), or cruise out onto the waters mention the thrilling rides at Busch
of Tampa Bay to watch for dolphins. Gardens Tampa Bay. JUNE
St. Pete Pride Festival and Parade
KUMBA, BUSCH GARDENS, TAMPA • SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT JUNE–AUGUST
Summer Nights, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER
Howl-O-Scream, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
OCTOBER
Clearwater Jazz Holiday
Creatures of the Night, ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
NOVEMBER
Clearwater Beach Uncorked
Dunedin Celtic Music & Craft Beer Festival
Dunedin Wines the Blues Festival
NOVEMBER–DECEMBER
Christmas in the Wild, ZooTampa at Lowry Park

NOVEMBER–JANUARY
Christmas Town, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
DECEMBER
Outback Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade, Ybor City
Victorian Christmas Stroll, Henry B. Plant
Museum, Tampa

2020 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA 89