Calendar

By Joice Veselka and Kelly Stefani

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 29, 2001

Following is a selection of events taking place around Florida in the first three weeks of May. Some events charge admission; readers are advised to call ahead to confirm times and any fees. The number in parentheses at the end of each item refers to the regional map of the state.

MAY 2-6: Sunfest 2001, West Palm Beach. Florida's largest music, art and waterfront festival. More than 50 performers on three stages, waterfront activities, youth park, fireworks. Downtown. Admission. Toll-free 1-800-786-3378. (6)

MAY 4-6: Civil War Re-enactment, New Smyrna Beach. Living history demonstration. Education day May 4, battle re-enactments May 5 and 6. At Old Fort Park. Admission. (904) 423-6741. (4)

MAY 4-6: Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, Fernandina Beach. Includes arts and crafts, pirates, music, antiques, children's area, fireworks. Downtown. Free. Toll-free 1-800-226-3542. (2)

MAY 4-6: Crawfish Creole Fiesta, Pensacola. Celebration of the Cajun influence on the city. Crawfish boil in Bartram Park, with crawfish plus spicy chicken, jambalaya and etoufee. Also Cajun music and dance lessons. Admission. (850) 433-6512 or visit http://www.fiestaoffiveflags.org. (1)

MAY 4-7: Hot Air Balloon Classic, Live Oak. Balloon Glow, balloon races, tethered rides, food vendors. Also Kids Day and live gospel music May 4, car and truck show May 5 and American Indian pow-wow May 5-6. At Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. Admission. (904) 364-1683. (2)

MAY 5: Spring Pops in the Park, Tallahassee. Concert by Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra at Tom Brown Park. Free. (850) 224-0461. (1)

MAY 5: Tour of Homes, Apalachicola. Tour visits 11 homes, four churches and several commercial buildings, all with historical and architectural significance. Admission. (850) 653-9419. (1)

MAY 5: Suwannee River Rat Race, Live Oak. Race of planks containing rubber rats, down the historic Suwannee River. At Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. Admission. (904) 792-2487. (2)

MAY 5: Brick City Festival, Ocala. Historic celebration of the rebuilding of the city after a disastrous fire on Thanksgiving Day 1883. Arts and crafts, children's activities, entertainment. In downtown square. Free. (352) 854-7024, (352) 629-8051. (3)

MAY 5: A Taste of Oviedo. Samplings from local restaurants plus cooking contests, entertainment, arts and crafts, children's activities. On Alexandria Boulevard. Donation requested. (407) 365-6500. (3)

MAY 5: Pops Concert Under the Stars, Lake Wales. Bok Tower Gardens' outdoor pop music concert by Imperial Symphony Orchestra of Lakeland, joined by the garden's carillon. Admission. (863) 676-1408. (3)

MAY 5: Mug Race, Palatka to Jacksonville. Major inland sailing regatta, begins in Palatka and follows course up northward-flowing St. Johns River to Jacksonville. (904) 264-4094. (2)

MAY 5: Family Fun Day Festival, St. Petersburg. Musical entertainment, games, face-painting, storytelling, food. At James Sanderlin Center. Free. (727) 893-9841. (5)

MAY 5: Cruise-In, Dade City. Showcases more than 200 cars manufactured before 1975. Downtown by old Courthouse. Free. (352) 567-3769. (5)

MAY 5: Classic Corvette Show, Sarasota. At St. Armands Circle Park. Free. (941) 388-1554. (5)

MAY 5-6: Smooth Jazz on the Bay Concert, St. Petersburg. Local and national bands. At Vinoy Park. (727) 898-2100. (5)

MAY 5-6: Ruskin Tomato and Heritage Festival. Musical entertainment, all the sliced tomatoes you can eat, tomato cook-off, farmers market, Cinco de Mayo celebration and Mexican cuisine. At E.G. Simmons Park. Admission. (813) 641-9201. (5)

MAY 5-6: Air and Sea Show, Fort Lauderdale Beach. Salute to U.S. military with air and sea demonstrations, plus champion civilian aerobatics. Performances by the Air Force Thunderbirds and Canadian Snow Birds, plus hang-gliding demonstrations, ski show and a variety of military seacraft. (954) 527-5600, ext. 88. (6)

MAY 5-6: Wave Master's Surfing Contest, Jacksonville Beach. Florida's largest open amateur surfing tournament, attracting more than 300 competitors ages 7 to 70. On Fourth Avenue N, three blocks north of former site of Seawalk Pavilion. Free. (904) 241-0600. (2)

MAY 5-6: John's Pass Village Craft Festival, Madeira Beach. Street craft festival with Saturday fireworks. Free. (813) 962-0388. (7)

MAY 10-12: Gulf Coast Triathlon, Panama City Beach. Qualifier for Ironman World Triathlon: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, 13-mile run. At Boardwalk Beach Resort. (850) 234-3484. (1)

MAY 11-13: Mother's Day Native American Indian Pow-Wow, Dade City. Detailed copies of Withlacoochee Indian villages, demonstrations of song, dance and art. At Withlacoochee River Park. Admission. (352) 567-3769. (5)

MAY 12: Victorian Mother's Day Tea, Brooksville. Old-fashioned tea with entertainment, on the day before Mother's Day. At Heritage Museum. Charge; advance reservations required. (352) 799-0129. (5)

MAY 12: Taste of the Arts, St. Petersburg. Gallery walk with hors d'oeuvres from downtown restaurants. Free. (727) 821-7391. (5)

MAY 12-13: Taste of Tarpon Springs Food and Craft Festival. Featuring authentic Greek food, children's activities, entertainment and the Howard Allen craft festival at the Sponge Docks. Free. (727) 937-6109. (5)

MAY 12-13: Personal Watercraft Races, St. Petersburg. About 250 racers compete on Jet Skis and Waverunners. At Spa Beach, adjacent to The Pier. (727) 347-4440. (5)

MAY 12-13: Mayfaire by the Lake, Lakeland. Outdoor festival on Mother's Day weekend, at Lake Morton downtown, including Mayfaire Saturday Night with entertainment and special activities. (863) 688-7743. (3)

MAY 18-20: Redland International Orchid Show, Homestead. At Fruit and Spice Park. Admission. (305) 247-5727. (6)

MAY 18-20: Springfest 2001, Pensacola. Musical celebration featuring more than 80 bands performing on five stages. Music ranges from rock to folk to world beat. Also, Kid Fest with crafts, sing-alongs and petting zoo, plus recipe contest, arts and crafts. Downtown. (800) 874-1234. (1)

MAY 18-20: Spring Boat Show, St. Petersburg. Personal watercraft, boats up to 70 feet long, inflatables, electronics, nautical gifts, jewelry, fishing clinics, fashion shows. At marina behind the Bayfront Center. Admission. (727) 892-5767. (5)

MAY 18-20: Mayfest Music Festival, Destin. Family festival has bands, arts and crafts, food. At foot of Destin Bridge. Free. (850) 837-6241. (1)

MAY 19: Humanatee/St. Marks Festival, St. Marks. Event welcoming manatees back to the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers. Exhibits, entertainment. At San Marcos de Apalache State Historic Site. Free. (850) 922-6007. (1)

MAY 19: Hot Times in the Old Town, St. Augustine. Datil pepper celebration with Spanish dancing, art presentations, food from local restaurants, entertainment, children's activities, fishing and boating demonstrations, and Alligator Race. Near Vilano Pier. Free. (800) 653-2489. (2)

MAY 19-20: Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival. Family-oriented event drawing more than 26,000 people, who consume more than 200,000 ears of corn. Corn-eating and husking contests, carnival rides, games, arts and crafts, entertainment. At Sweet Corn Festival Site. Admission. (407) 886-0014. (3)

MAY 19-20: Mad Dog Mad Beach Triathlon, Madeira Beach. Draws about 800 participants. Preceded by the Mighty Kids Triathlon (ages 7-14) and Mighty Adults Triathlon (beginners), both May 19. Mad Dog (advanced) race May 20. At Archibald Beach Park. (727) 527-8869. (5)

MAY 19-20: Arcadia Watermelon Festival. Melon-eating and seed-spitting contests, arts and crafts, carnival, sack races, canoe and raft races, entertainment, parade. At DeSoto Park. Admission. (863) 494-5131. (5)

MAY 19-20: Swamp Buggy Races, Naples. At Florida Sports Park. Admission. (800) 897-2701. (7)

Compiled for the Times by Joice Veselka and Times editorial assistant Kelly Stefani.

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