Northpinellas: Forecast: sunny and funny

Read the schedule of events for the 48th annual Fun 'n Sun Festival, skip to the second item down and here's what you'll see: Grand Ole Opry Sportfishing King Mackerel Tournament Friday and Saturday. Time: 6:30 a.m. Location: Gulf of Mexico. Admission: $425.

Sounds like fun. But $425?

That's pretty steep for most folks, and a boat is necessary (at least 600 are expected to invade Clearwater Harbor). But the potential payoff is pretty good: $100,000 to the person who catches the biggest fish (king mackerels average 30 to 40 pounds).

Luckily for Fun 'n Sun seekers, most of the other 37 events that make up the traditional festival are free, and all are held on terra firma. (If you don't count one event that will be held on a pier).

The others will be held in indoors, outdoors, nights and days over three weekends in theaters, recreation centers, libraries, nature parks, a street, an air park, a beach, a stadium, a high school auditorium and a sports complex in and around Clearwater.

The 17-day festival started off as a Chamber of Commerce tourist activity, and evolved into a nearly three-week city-sponsored event drawing locals and visitors. It kicks off tonight with a Florida Orchestra "Paint the Park Pink" concert at 8 p.m. at Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., Clearwater. The concert, which is geared toward promoting breast cancer awareness, will feature exhibits, games and displays (booths will open at 6 p.m.). There is no admission charge.

From 2:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, you can enjoy a variety of family entertainment, including local music performers, games, a moon walk and "make and take" crafts during the North Greenwood Community Music Festival.

The venue is at Phillip Jones Field, 1190 Russell St., Clearwater. There is no admission charge.

The music festival will compete with four more Fun 'n Sun events Saturday.

One of them, the Clearwater Air Park Open House/Aviation Festival, will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Clearwater Air Park, 1000 Hercules Ave., N, Clearwater. It will feature aircraft displays including ultralights and vintage planes, a hot air balloon, a K-9 dog demonstration, and children's activities. And the Anheuser Busch Skydiving Team will perform three separate jumps at the beginning, middle and end of the event.

Not only is admission free, but there will be free hot dogs and drinks for everyone. For information, call (727) 461-5229.

Then there is the Grand Ole Opry Pier 60 Youth Fishing Tournament open to children age 16 and under from 8 a.m. to noon at Pier 60, Clearwater Beach. Contestants must provide their own equipment (bait will be available for purchase). Prizes will be awarded. Free. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. For information, call (727) 462-6466.

If you're yearning for country music, you may want to catch the free Grand Ole Opry Concert featuring Exile, Ray Pillow and Daryl Pillow at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., Clearwater. For information, call (727) 562-4800.

If you're in the mood to tee off -- with a disc, not a ball -- don't miss the 11th annual Disc Golf Tournament at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Cliff Stephens Park, 801 Fairwood Ave. and Northeast Coachman Park, corner of Old Coachman Road and Northeast Coachman Road, Clearwater.

This is a 72-hole format divisions ranging from pros to amateurs and juniors. While spectators can watch for free, players pay $25 (pros), and $10 amateur ($2 late fee for day-of-event registration). For information, call (727) 562-4813.

On Sunday, get an earful of Emerald Isle music at the Irish for a Day Concert from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Coachman Park. On the playbill are fiddle player James Kelly, and entertainers Pooka and the Titanic Dancers. There will be Irish food and drinks. Admission is free. For information, call (727) 562-4813.

The rest of the festival includes the Senior Follies (7 p.m. Tuesday at the Royalty Theatre), "Let It Be Downtown" concert featuring the cast of the show Beatlemania, and The Sevilles (5 p.m. Thursday at Cleveland Street, Clearwater), Fun 'n Sun Jamboree gospel and blues concert (10 a.m. April 28 at Coachman Park), Fun 'n Sun Baseball Night with the Phillies (7 p.m. April 30).

Maybe the city of Clearwater saves the best for last. Probably the most popular Fun 'n Sun event is the Illuminated Night Parade featuring $40,000 to $50,000 floats. It begins at 7:35 p.m. May 5 beginning at Crest Lake Park and heading west along Cleveland Street.

"The idea of the Fun 'n Sun event is to have at least one event to touch everybody, from a 2-year-old to a 90-year-old," said Terry Schmidt, parks and recreation department event producer. "But the parade is for all ages."

To learn more

The Fun 'n Sun events schedule is available at the Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department, 100 S Myrtle Ave., Chamber of Commerce welcome centers and all city libraries.

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