5 Things to Know Today, Oct. 15: A Pumpkin Fest and More

1. It's finally here. The FishHawk Pumpkin Fest takes place today in the Starling neighborhood in FishHawk Ranch.

The day begins with a pumpkin-carving contest starting at 9 a.m. There will be 500 pumpkins on site for residents to carve.

A tennis tournament with adult/child teams will take place at FishHawk Tennis Club, 15921 Courtside View Dr. in Starling, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 813-681-4000 for details.

A variety of activities and games for kids of all ages is on tap from 3-7:30 p.m., including face painting, hayrides, a pie-eating contest, a Minute to Win It contest at 6 p.m.

Also on tap is a Treat Street, with local vendors and businesses handing out goodies, will begin at 3 p.m.

A free concert featuring The Go Daddies is slated from 5-8 p.m.

Then, at 8 p.m., the carved pumpkins will be lighted for residents to enjoy.

Admission is free but food, drink and game tickets will be available for purchase, and 50 percent of the proceeds benefitting the local YMCAs and Feeding America, Tampa Bay. Residents also are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to Feeding America.

For more information on the Pumpkin Festival, visit the event website.

2. Check out the Hillsborough County Fair, which continues today at the Hillsborough County fairgrounds at Sydney-Washer Road on the north side of State Road 60.

For just $7 general admission for adults and $5 for children ages 6 through high school, residents can view livestock shows, rodeos, pig races, a battle of teenage bands, exhibits, cooking contests and pageants.

This year's fair will feature a midway of carnival rides, traditional fair foods like funnel cakes and kettle corn, livestock shows featuring animals raised by 4-H and FFA members include rabbits, pigs, cows, poultry, goats and lambs.

Today's activities include a goat obstacle contest, a cake auction, swine sale and pygmy goat show.

A 4-H barbecue takes place Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. Tickets are $8 and include free fair admission, free parking and Sonny's pork or beef, baked beans, cole slaw, a brownie and a drink.

There will be an exhibition of recycled yard art, hay bale decorating, photography, crafts, quilting, needlework, sewing and art along with antique tractors, engines and equipment to peruse.

Robinson's Racing Pigs will offer several races and there will be a trick horse show as well.

The Ranch Rodeo will take place Saturday at 7 p.m. with events including wild cow milking, bronco riding and mutton busting.

The 14th annual Teenage Battle of the Bands is scheduld for Oct. 15 from noon to 11 p.m.

Gates open at 10 a.m. Saturday.

For information, call 813-737-FAIR /737-3247.

3. St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 3315 Bryan Rd. in Brandon, will host a free community event, Familypalooza, on the church grounds Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Familypalooza will include an 18-foot water slide, bounce house, giant slip and slide, foam tank, face painting, clowns, Italian ice, festive pumpkins and a decorated photo area for taking individual or family pictures.

This family-fun event provides the ideal opportunity to visit the St. Andrew's pumpkin patch and select a pumpkin from among the hundreds displayed.

For more information about Familypalooza, visit www.standrewsbrandon.com or contact Dan Segale, director of youth ministry at 813-689-6849.

4. The 24th annual Southeast Street Rod Nationals Plus will be held Saturday at the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center and the Midway at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 N. U.S. 301, Tampa.

This is the area's largest street rod and custom car show. It will feature at vintage auto parts swap meet, arts and crafts and model car show. More than 1,500 street rods/custom cars will be on display. Adult admission is $14; seniors over 60 and military personnel are $12; children 6-12 are $5. Call 813-621-7821.

5. Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 10540 Browning Road, Lithia, continues its first Godtoberfest celebration this weekend with a rummage/trunk sale Saturday, Oct. 15, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The trunk sale will feature donated items and refreshments.