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Navigate Sweetfields Farm’s Spring Harvest 2013 Sunflower Maze

Filed under Day Trips, May 2013 Events by whatsdo2 on May 3, 2013 at 9:09 pm {no comments}

Sweetfields Farm 2013 Spring Sunflower Maze Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Date: Weekends beginning Saturday, May 4, 2013 through Sunday, June 2, 2013: May 4 & 5, May 11 & 12, May 18 & 19, May 25-27, June 1 & 2, June 8 & 9 (NOTE: Dates may be added or removed based on the condition of the fields.)
Location: Sweetfields Farm
Cost: $8.50/adult, $4.50/child age 3-11, FREE for children age 2 and younger (NOTE: The Farm accepts cash only! Tax is included in the price.); U-pick and freshly collected produce will be available for purchase, as well as food, ice cream and drinks; Veggie launcher is $2 for 3 shots; Animal feed is sometimes available for purchase
Info: (352) 279-0977; Sweetfields Farm Website; Sweetfields Farm Facebook Page
Distance: Sweetfields Farm is approximately 1 hour north of Downtown Tampa

What’s Doing?
Spend an afternoon outside with the kids navigating this 5-acre maze of sunflower. Plus, there will also be other fun activities for families to enjoy, including:
— Rubber Duck Race
— Hayride
— Veggie launcher
— Web maze
— Craft
— Farm animals
— Picnic area (Bring a picnic lunch)
— Digital Scavenger Hunt (12:30 p.m.; bring your digital camera)

What Should You Bring?
- Camera
— Sunscreen
— Bottled water
- Closed-toe walking shoes (not dress shoes, sandals or flip flops )
- Dress appropriate for the local weather (You will be outside)
- Cash (credit cards and checks will not be accepted, and there is no ATM)
— You are welcome to bring your own picnic lunch, or purchase food, ice cream and drinks on-site

NOTE: Also, children 18 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Click here for Farm rules.

Address:
Sweetfields Farm, Inc.
17250 Benes Roush Road
Masaryktown, FL 34604

Image: seaskylab / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of Sweetfields Farm

Celebration, FL Becomes Pie Capital of the World During the 2013 Great America Pie Festival®

Filed under April 2013 Events, Day Trips by whatsdo2 on April 21, 2013 at 6:08 pm {no comments}

If you love kitchy events, the 12th annual Great American Pie Festival®, sponsored by Crisco®, might be just the thing to send you and your family on a road trip this weekend. Who doesn’t love pie … especially when there is a whole festival build around this sweet wedge of southern comfort! Staycation anyone?

Blueberry cheesecake pie Time: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (Sat.) & 12-5 p.m. (Sun.)
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2013 & Sunday, April 28, 2013
Location: Lakeside Park
Cost: Admission to the festival is FREE; Children’s area (includes the crafts and bounce houses) is $10/child; Never-Ending Pie Buffet tickets are $10/adult, $5/child (age 6-12) and senior (65+), and FREE for children age 5 and younger
Info: Great American Pie Festival Web Page
Distance: Celebration, FL is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes east of Downtown Tampa

What’s Doing?
Tuck into the Never-Ending Pie Buffet, which includes ice cream, toppings and beverages. When you’re not eating pie, enjoy entertainment, baking demonstrations and the annual pie eating contest. Plus, a children’s area will include pie-themed crafts and activities, including:
— Make your own pies at the Comstock Creation Station
— Pie decorating
— Pie art
— Chef hat decorating
… and more pie activities

Address:
Lakeside Park
631 Sycamore Street
Celebration, FL 34747

Image courtesy of -Marcus- / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of chawalitpix / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Meet Clifford, The Berenstain Bears and Olivia at the 2013 Storybook Forest

Filed under April 2013 Events, Day Trips by whatsdo2 on April 4, 2013 at 11:58 am {no comments}

Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Date: Saturday, April 6, 2013
Location: Crews Lake Wilderness Park
Cost: FREE admission and FREE parking
Info: (727) 233-8291; Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Website; View the 2013 Storybook Forest Flyer
Distance: Crews Lake Wilderness Park is approximately 50 minutes NE of Tampa, FL

What’s Doing?
“Storybook Forest” will celebrate the 18th Annual Children’s Week with interactive displays based on children’s books, plus:
— Story-themed crafts and interactive activities
— Music and entertainment
— Food
— FREE train rides on the Central Pasco & Gulf Railroad (located inside the park)

Even Better! Clifford the Big Red Dog, the Berenstain Bears, and Olivia the Pig will be joining in the fun! Children can have their picture taken with the characters for FREE, and each child will receive a book featuring that character.

This event is hosted by the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, supporting Early Learning opportunities for our children.

Address:
Crews Lake Wilderness Park
18739 Crews Lake Drive
Spring Hill, FL 34610

Image courtesy of Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, Inc.

Frozen Treats, Activities Abound at the First Florida Ice Cream Festival

Filed under April 2013 Events, Day Trips by whatsdo2 on April 2, 2013 at 9:26 pm {no comments}

Florida Ice Cream Festival Banner Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Date: Saturday, April 6, 2013
Location: Joker Marchant Stadium at Tiger Town
Cost: General admission for guests age 6+ will be $2 in advance (purchase tickets online), or $3 at the gate, and FREE for children age 5 and younger; Ice cream and some activities are an additional charge (Purchase MOO-lah Bucks for all expenses inside the event; Proceeds benefit the Magnify Life Foundation and The Detroit Tigers Foundation of Florida); Parking is FREE
Info: E-mail info@floridaicecreamfestival.org; Florida Ice Cream Festival Website; Purchase Florida Ice Cream Festival tickets online in advance
Distance: Joker Marchant Stadium is approximately 40 minutes east of Downtown Tampa

What’s Doing?
National and local ice cream companies will be selling frozen treats during this old-fashioned neighborhood event presented by Magnify Credit Union. Fred’s Southern Kitchen will be serving its famous cobbler and other desserts topped with Blue Bell Ice Cream’s signature Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.

In addition to ice cream, there will be a variety of things to do, see and eat. During this fun-filled day for the whole family, guests will enjoy live music and acts, caricatures, Home Depot DIY Kits for Kids, First Responders, contests and a Kids Zone featuring:
— Old-fashioned field races
— Miniature golf
— Face painting
— Bounce houses
— Climbing Wall
— Air Brush Tattoos
— Hair Braiding
— Pony Rides
… and more!

Address:
Joker Marchant Stadium at Tiger Town
2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard
Lakeland, FL 33805

Image courtesy of the Florida Ice Cream Festival

Thanks to Brooke M. from Harmon Tampa for sending us this event information!

“Day Out With Thomas: The Go Go Thomas Tour 2013″ Rolls Into the Florida Railroad Museum

Filed under Day Trips, March 2013 Events by whatsdo2 on March 12, 2013 at 8:24 pm {one comment}

Day Out With Thomas: The Go Go Thomas Tour 2013 Logo Time: Train rides with Thomas will depart every 45 minutes throughout the day (rain or shine), beginning at 9 a.m. The last train departure of the day is at 3:45 p.m.
Date: Saturday, March 16, 2013-Sunday, March 17, 2013 & Saturday, March 23, 2013-Sunday, March 24, 2013
Location: Florida Railroad Museum
Cost: Tickets are $18 plus tax for guests age 2+ and can be purchased by calling (866) 468-7630 or visiting TicketWeb.com
Info: Day Out With Thomas 2013 Web Page
Distance: Parrish, FL is approximately 45 minutes south of Downtown Tampa

What’s Doing?
Thomas The Tank Engine returns to the Florida Railroad Museum for two back-to-back weekends, where children of all ages will have the opportunity to climb aboard and take a ride with Thomas, meet Sir Topham Hatt®, and participate in Thomas & Friends®-themed activities. The day offers plenty of fun outside the ride aboard Thomas including:
— Inflatable slide
— Bounce houses
— Face painting
— G-scale train display
— Inflatable snail obstacle course
— Hayrides
— Mini-tire train ride
— Crafts
— Storytelling

Thomas the Train Bring your preschoolers to take the ride of their lives!

The event, now in its 18th year, is presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by MEGA Brands, a leading toy company, and all inclusive Hard Rock Hotels. Thomas the Tank Engine is star of Thomas & Friends® on PBS KIDS® and Sprout®.

Asterik Even Better! Enter to win a family 4-pack of tickets to ride aboard Thomas during this special event. Visit our “Day Out With Thomas: The Go Go Thomas Tour 2013″ giveaway page to enter to win four (4) vouchers good for one train ride before 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m. on either Saturday, March 23, 2013 or Sunday, March 24, 2013. While you’re there, enjoy all the Thomas-themed activities! (Giveaway ends 3/17/13 at 11:59 EST)

About the Florida Railroad Museum
The Florida Railroad Museum is the state’s home of Railroad History. The Museum offers one of the most unique museum experiences in the world. Here you can “Ride the Exhibits!” The Museum is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. year-round. Hour-and-a-half excursions on historic rail equipment depart from the Parrish Train Station at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Special events are scheduled throughout the year featuring themed train rides. To learn more about the Museum, visit the Florida Railroad Museum website.

Address:
Florida Railroad Museum
12210 83rd Street East
Parrish, FL 34219

Images courtesy of HIT Entertainment Limited

Thanks to Sarah Gumina for contacting us regarding this event.

Tour the Gamble Mansion for FREE During the 53rd Annual Gamble Plantation Historic State Park Spring Open House

Filed under Day Trips, March 2013 Events by whatsdo2 on February 28, 2013 at 9:48 am {no comments}

Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Date: Sunday, March 3, 2013
Location: Gamble Plantation Historic State Park
Cost: FREE admission and parking
Info: (941) 723-4536; Florida State Parks-Gamble Plantation Historic State Park Website
Distance: Gamble Plantation Historic State Park is approximately 1 hour south of Downtown Tampa

What’s Doing?
Take a trip back to the lives of the early Florida pioneers during this even hosted jointly by The United Daughters of the Confederacy, Judah P. Benjamin Chapter, and the Florida Park Service. Travel back to the Old South through the many lifestyle demonstrations of that time period, see costumes reminiscent of the era of the 1840s-1870s, and enjoy FREE tours of the Gamble Mansion and Patten House. Additionally, the 4th Florida Volunteer Infantry will be dressed in military uniforms re-enacting a Confederate encampment. The event will also include:
— Music
— Crafts
… and more.

Address:
Gamble Plantation Historic State Park
3708 Patten Avenue
Ellenton, FL 34222

Image courtesy of the Florida Division of Recreation and Parks (Re-enactors getting ready to fire cannon at open house.)
Image courtesy of the Florida Division of Recreation and Parks (The Gamble Plantation mansion)

Hernando County Reading Festival 2013

Filed under Day Trips, March 2013 Events by whatsdo2 on February 28, 2013 at 9:16 am {no comments}

Hernando County Festival of Reading 2013 Flyer Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Date: Saturday, March 2, 2013
Location: Nature Coast Technical High School
Cost: FREE; Food available for purchase
Info: (352) 797-7018; Hernando County School Board Website
Distance: Nature Coast Technical High School is approximately 1 hour north of Downtown Tampa

What’s Doing?
Bring the kids to meet local children’s authors Madeline Joan Wilks (Yellow Dot. Red Dot.), Nancy Strewart (Bella Saves the Beach) and Shirley Temple Mitten (Braile’s Tales), and spend some quality family time together enjoying the kid-friendly activities:
— Jiggleman (10:30-11 a.m.)
— Read Across America Parade & Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Party (11:15 a.m. & 2:15 p.m.)
— John Storms “World of Reptiles” (12-12:30 p.m.)
— Black Light Theater – Puppetry Pride (1:30-2 p.m.)
— Tony the Balloon Guy
— Games
— Door prizes
— Fire safety
— Friends of the Library children’s book sale

Even Better! The first 300 children will receive a FREE goody bag.

Address:
Nature Coast Technical High School
4057 California Street
Brooksville, FL 34604

Box of Books Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of the Hernando County School District

Watch The Royal Lipizzaner Stallions of Austria Prepare for their Summer Tour

Filed under April 2013 Events, Day Trips, Feb. 2013 Events, March 2013 Events, May 2013 Events by whatsdo2 on January 31, 2013 at 5:25 pm {no comments}

Time: 3 p.m. (Thurs. & Fri.), 10 a.m. (Sat.)
Date: Thursday-Saturday through the first weekend in May
Location: Herrmanns’ Royal Lipizzan Stallions
Cost: This year they are requesting a minimum donation of $5/person
Info: (941) 322-1501; Herrmanns’ Royal Lipizzan Stallions Website
Distance: Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions are approximately 1 hour 15 minutes south of Downtown Tampa

What’s Doing?
This is your personal invitation to witness the beauty and grace of The Original Lipizzan Stallions of Austria as professional trainers prepare the Lipizzaner stallions for their summer show tour.

Check out this YouTube.com video of one of their 2009 training sessions in Myakka City:

NOTE: Bring a lawn chair with you so that you can sit close to the arena.

Address:
Herrmanns’ Royal Lipizzan Stallions
32755 Singletary Road
Myakka City, FL 34251

Image courtesy of Herrmanns’ Royal Lipizzan Stallions

14th Annual Truck & Tractor Pull

Filed under Day Trips, Jan. 2013 Events by whatsdo2 on January 22, 2013 at 4:30 am {no comments}

Time: Gates open at 4 p.m. (Fri.) and 10 a.m. (Sat.)
Date: Friday, January 25, 2013 & Saturday, January 26, 2013
Location: Citrus County Fairgrounds
Cost: $10/adult, $5/child age 4-11, FREE for children age 3 and younger
Info: (352) 726-2993; 2013 Tractor Pull Schedule; Citrus County Fair Website
Distance: Citrus County Fairground is approximately 1 hour 20 minuted north of Downtown Tampa

What’s Doing?
The competition includes trucks and tractors of all sizes, including garden tractors. A junior tractor race will take place at 5 p.m. on Friday, and at noon on Saturday.

Address:
Citrus County Fairgrounds
3600 South Florida Avenue
Inverness, FL 34450

Image courtesy of Surachai / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Chick-fil-A’s Last Opening of 2012 Near LEGOLAND FL in Winter Haven on Dec. 13

Filed under Day Trips, Dec. 2012 Events by whatsdo2 on December 11, 2012 at 10:33 am {no comments}

Time: The line officially opens at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, December 12 with the FREE meal cards being awarded Thursday, December 13 at about 6 a.m.
Date: Line opens: Wednesday, December 12, 2012; Opening Day: Thursday, December 13, 2012
Location: Chick-fil-A
Cost: FREE to camp out
Info: See the Chick-fil-A website for complete rules.
Distance: The new Chick-fil-A location in Winter Haven, FL is approximately 1 hour east of Downtown Tampa, and only 10 minutes away from the front entrance of LEGOLAND Florida.

What’s Doing?
Does your family have annual passes to LEGOLAND Florida?
Do you spend as much time there as other Bay area residents spend at Busch Gardens?

If you answered “yes” to either of those questions, you might be interested to know that the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain will celebrate the last opening of the year in Winter Haven on December 13, when a FREE one-year supply of Chick-fil-A will be given away to the first 100 adults in line on grand opening morning at the new location.

But to make things EVEN BETTER, you can actually use your First 100 FREE Meal Card at any restaurant! Woo-hoo! So, get Grandma to watch the kids and pack your tent for 24 hours of camping in front of Chick-fil-A, and earn the distinction of being one of …

Chick-fil-A’s “First 100”
The latest Chick-fil-A First 100 celebration will occur in Winter Haven where the chain will award a one-year supply of FREE Chick-fil-A® Meals (52 certificates) to each of the first 100 adults in line, ages 18 and older with identification. The line officially opens at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, December 12 with the FREE meal cards being awarded Thursday, December 13 at about 6 a.m. The restaurant will open for business immediately following. http://whatsdoingtampabay.com/wp-admin/post-new.php

NOTE: If there are more than 100 people by 6 a.m. on Wednesday, December 12, all 100 spots will be determined by a raffle held that morning with those selected still having to camp out the 24 hours to secure their spot. See the Chick-fil-A website for complete rules.

New Year “Terrific Tuesday” Breakfast Promotion
To celebrate Chick-fil-A’s last opening of 2012 in Winter Haven, the new location will join the other Greater Tampa Bay Area stand-alone Chick-fil-A restaurants to help kick off the New Year with a “Terrific Tuesday” Breakfast Promotion. Starting January 8, a FREE breakfast item will be given away to customers during breakfast hours to thank them for their continued support and to wish them a Happy New Year.

Address:
Chick-fil-A
143 Landings Boulevard
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Images courtesy of Chick-fil-A / CP Communications