Lauren Mayeux entertains at the Country Jubilee at Heritage Village.
Brace yourself: Guavaween gets mellow
To celebrate the often-raucous Halloween event's 20th anniversary, a masquerade ball has been added to the night before. It's supposed to be "good old-fashioned fun."
Come hear the 'Reaper'
From the rock 'n' roll of Blue Oyster Cult to rap, electronica and the hip-hop of Tone Loc, Guavaween is a treat for music lovers.
If the mayhem of Guavaween isn't your style, check out one of the half-dozen other festivals around the Tampa Bay area this weekend that celebrate everything from history to grouper:
Country Jubilee at Heritage Village: This Pinellas County Historical Society event features music, crafts and entertainment from the past. Lauren Mayeux of St. Petersburg, above, entertained at the 2002 event as a member of the Magic Beans old-time string band. The village's historic structures will be open for tours, too. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat., 11909 125th St. N, Largo. Parking at lot off 119th Street, just south of Ulmerton Road, with a free shuttle to the event. (727) 582-2123. Free, but donations accepted.
New Port Richey Founder's Day: The outdoor celebration this year includes a Saturday concert by contemporary Christian artists Shaun Groves, Christine Dente, Ginny Owens and George Rowe. There are arts and crafts in the park, car shows, a midway, kids' games and more. 5-10 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun., Sims Park, Orange Lake and surrounding area, downtown New Port Richey. $2 donation requested. (727) 842-8066.
Top of the Bay Oktoberfest: Oldsmar's fall party includes Bavarian oompah music, German dancing and other entertainment, German food and drink, kids' activities and more. 5-11 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sat. and noon-7 p.m. Sun., R.E. Olds Park, Bayview Boulevard and Shore Drive 1/2 mile south of Tampa Road, downtown Oldsmar. $2 adult, $1 for seniors and teens, free for ages 12 and under (must be accompanied by adult). (813) 855-4233; www.oldsmarchamber.com
Circus McGurkis: The People's Fair: The annual eclectic events, sponsored by the Religious Society of Friends Quakers and Tampa Bay Peace Education Program, includes a little bit of everything: arts and crafts, musicians, dancers, storytellers, community action groups and more. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., Lakeview Park, 20th Street and 28th Avenue S, St. Petersburg. Rain date is Nov. 1. (727) 896-0310 or www.circusmcgurkis.org Free.
Grouperfest 2003: John's Pass Village celebrates that famous Florida fish with a fish fry, arts and crafts (many with nautical themes), a toy boat race, kids' activities and entertainment. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. at the village and boardwalk, 129th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard, Madeira Beach. Parking at Madeira Beach Middle School, 591 Madeira Beach Causeway, $5; free bus shuttle to event site or $2 boat shuttle to site. (727) 394-0756, option 3. Free.
Exploring the minds of pets
Sonya Fitzpatrick is a former model and etiquette coach who has found fame as The Pet Psychic on the Animal Planet cable network. There, she meets with pets and their owners, converses telepathically with the animals and serves as a translator between them and their humans.
The show, one of the cable network's most successful, has spawned a Pet Psychic industry: Fitzpatrick appears at St. Petersburg's Mahaffey Theater on Saturday, the fourth stop on her first national tour. She has written books about communicating with pets, and she's about to launch a line of animal foods.
Times staff writer Colette Bancroft wrote about the show when it debuted last year, calling it a guilty pleasure. "There's entertainment to be had here whether you believe in the psychic business or not," she wrote.
At the show, Fitzpatrick will do readings for audience members. Don't bring pets, though. She will do the readings from photographs, which will be chosen at random.
The show is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. Tickets are $25 to $50. (727) 892-5767 or (727) 892-5700.
