Community Corner

GET OUT: Weekend Events Preview April 1-3

With a variety of entertainment venues and restaurants in the area, there's no reason to spend the weekend at home. We've put together a list of fun things to do in the Bloomingdale area.

It’s Thursday and the weekend’s just around the corner. If you’re still stumped on what to do, we’ve got some great ideas.

ST. STEPHEN SPRING JUBILEE

Where/when: March 31 to April 3 on the grounds of St. Stephen Catholic School, 10424 St. Stephen Circle, Riverview, off Boyette Road.

Find out what's happening in Bloomingdale-Riverviewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Why go: The jubilee will feature a midway with 32 rides from Arnold's Amusements including some of the most popular thrills rides as well as games. There will be hourly entertainment under the Big Top and fairgoers will find a variety of food prepared by St. Stephen Catholic Church volunteers, Beef O' Brady's and The Alley, in addition to a wine and beer garden. Food choices will include New Orleans-style crabcakes, barbecue, fish and chips, Philly steak sandwiches, pizza, hot dogs, fries, Cuban sandwiches and ice cream.

Price: Admission and parking are free. Fairgoers can purchase a armband for all the rides for $17 in advance or $20 the day of the event.

Find out what's happening in Bloomingdale-Riverviewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

GO WILD FUNDRAISER

Where/when: Bell Shoals Academy, 2102 Bell Shoals Road, Brandon, will present its Spring Jubilee "Go Wild" fundraiser April 1 from 2 to 9 p.m.

Why go: Outside activities between 2 and 6 p.m. will include laser tag, hamster balls, a snow slide, face painting, bounce-arounds, snow cones and popcorn. At 6 p.m. Jaymer-Que BBQ will provide pre-sold dinner in the special events center, 2102 Bell Shoals Road, Brandon. There will be a live auction from 6:30 to 9 p.m. including gift baskets, tickets to professional sporting events, gift cards and weekend getaways.

Price: Ticket prices for activities vary.

BRANDON RELAY FOR LIFE

Where/when: The Brandon Relay for life will take place April 1 at 6 p.m. at Brandon High School, 1101 Victoria St., Brandon.

Why go:  All cancer survivors and their caregivers are invited to walk the first lap of the American Cancer Society's Brandon Relay for Life and stay for a free dinner at 6 p.m. There will be food and activities set up around the high school track throughout the night as teams walk the track to raise funds and awareness of cancer.

Price: Free

A NIGHT AT SEA

Where/when: A Night at Sea nautical-themed fundraiser will take place April 1 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Women's Resource Center, 1017 Kingsway Road, Brandon. This is the fourth annual fundraiser for the center.

Why go: There will be a dinner with an exciting live production to raise funds for the Women's Resource Center.

Price: $50

PINK DRAGON LADIES POKER RUN

Where/when: The poker run will begin at 10:30 a.m. April 2 at O'Brien's Irish Pub and Grill,  701 W Lumsden Road, Brandon.

Why go: Stop by O'Brien's for some poker fun in support of a great cause. The event features food and drinks, local vendors and loads of prizes and giveaways for players with the best and worst hand. All proceeds will benefit the Pink Dragon Ladies Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Team.

Price: $15 per hand, $25 for two hands

98 ROCK FEST

Where/when: April 2 at 7 p.m. at the St. Petersburg Time Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa.

Why go: Prepare to rock as Tampa Bay's hit radio station 98 Rock presents "98 RockFest!" Enjoy a night of alternative rock and roll music that will take you back to the '90s when bands ruled the airwaves. 3 Doors Down, Seether, Stone Sour, Theory of a Deadman, Skillet and Art of Dying are set to take the stage with a few special guests throughout the show.

Price: $30-$128

WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Where/when: All day Saturday, April 2 at the Museum of Science & Industry, 11315 N 46th St, Tampa.

Why go: The 2011 Bay Area Renaissance Festival continues its theme weekends with Wonders of the World, featuring local Middle Eastern and Asian vendors. Enjoy food, wine, and multicultural entertainment throughout the day along with arm wrestling, dancing, juggling and egg roll eating contests for all ages.

Price: Adults $17.95, children $9.95


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