GET OUT: Weekend Events Preview April 6-8

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend.

Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for activities to hit this holiday weekend.

WHERE/WHEN: The newly formed Friends of FishHawk is inviting all residents to celebrate spring at the FishHawk Carnival, running Thursday, April 5 to Sunday, April 8, on the grounds of Sunset Bay Chapel, 6026 Churchside Dr., Lithia. Carnival hours are Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.

WHY GO: The event will directly benefit Friends of FishHawk, an organization formed to help residents in need. It will feature food from local restaurants as well as traditional carnival food along with kiddie rides and rides for the older kids.

Single-day tickets at the gate are $20 at the gate or residents can get a weekend pass for $40.

Thursday, April 5, is Pepsi Day. Bring a Pepsi can and receive $5 off an arm band.

Friday is Senior Day. Students with high school IDs receive $5 off an arm band. At 7 p.m. the band Bus Stop will perform.

Saturday will feature FishHawk's largest dance party from 6 to 11 p.m. with a disc jockey spinning tunes. Come meet the Easter Bunny from 6 to 8 p.m. He will be dancing with the kids and then posing for photos.

WHERE/WHEN: The Bridge of the Bay Community Church will presents its second annual Community Easter Celebration Service and Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, April 8, at 9:30 a.m. at the YMCA Camp Cristina, 9840 Balm-Riverview Rd., Riverview.

WHY GO: The morning will begin at 9:30 a.m. with free Starbucks coffee and donuts. The Easter service will begin at 9:50 a.m. and the fun will continue following the one-hour service with an Easter egg hunt with a special section for wobblers and toddlers, prizes, candy, a bouncy house and music.

WHERE/WHEN: Residents will have a chance to play soccer with the professionals, enjoy traditional Latin foods and bust a pinata when Bell Shoals Baptist Church hosts Festival Latino. The free family fun fest will take place Saturday, April 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 2102 Bell Shoals Rd., Brandon.

WHY GO: A highlight of the event will be a free soccer clinic for both kids and adults with former professional Brazilian soccer player Romildo Sanches, now a Seffner resident, and soccer legend Derek Smethurst as well as members of the Tampa Bay Rowdies organization. 

In addition, the festival will feature food samples with a Latin flair provided by local restaurants, an Easter egg hunt, a pinata, story time, crafts, face painting, games and inflatables.

Performing on the soundstage will be Hispanic singer and Christian recording artist Kelly Kelz as well as other entertainment.

Door prizes will be given away every half hour and include four tickets to Legoland.

WHERE/WHEN: The sixth annual Community Easter Sunrise Service by the lake at Rotary's Camp Florida, 1915 Camp Florida Rd., Brandon, will take place Sunday, April 8 from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.

WHO GO: The service is hosted by the Tampa Bay Area Emmaus Community. Before the sun rises, worshippers will sing and meditate. Attendees should wear warm clothing for possible chilly breezes off the lake and bring lawn chairs for seating.

WHERE/WHEN: Horizon Christian Church invites residents to learn more about the life of Jesus Christ in a dramatic presentation April 6-7 at the church, 1720 S. St. Cloud Ave., Valrico. Doors open for the free event, "Walk the Way of the Cross," at 7 p.m. and close at 10:30 p.m. each night. Tours run approximately every 10 minutes and each tour takes about 45 minutes.

WHY GO: Those attending will be witnesses to Jesus and his disciples in this dramatic re-creation of the final days Jesus spent on the Earth.

Attendees will view His triumphal entry, watch as Jesus celebrates the Last Supper with his disciples, feel the torment as Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemene, be a part of the crowd as Jesus makes His way to Calvary where he is crucified and rejoice with the disciples as Jesus is resurrected.

The production includes 300 panels built by members of the congregation, including two new scenes this year. Scenes include the Last Supper, Pilate's Temple and a vision of heaven following Jesus' Ascension.

WHERE/WHEN: Join Hillsborough County Animal Services and local rescue partners for the HOP (Help Our Pets) Eggstravaganza adopt-a-thon and egg hunt happening on Saturday, April 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

WHY GO: Dozens of local pet rescue groups, vendors and animal professionals will transform the county animal shelter at 440 N. Falkenburg Rd., in Tampa into a festival of fun, adoption and awareness. 

Children can line up forage-appropriate Easter egg hunts and other activities starting at 11 a.m., and pet adoptions at the shelter will remain open until 3:30 p.m.

The HOP Eggstravaganza will feature a variety of hundreds of adoptable pets --from beagles to bulldogs, poodles to pinschers, cats, kittens and more. 

Prospective adopters should bring a valid photo ID, proof of address and cash or local check, with some rescue groups accepting major credit cards. Many pets will be offered at special prices, and adoptions from Animal Services will include spaying/neutering, vaccination, micro-chip, county tag and health check.

Special guests at this year's event include Raymond, the official MLB mascot of the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Easter Bunny. Attendees to the HOP can also Ask-the-Vet, explore volunteer opportunities, tour the shelter, take a scavenger hunt, and win prizes in contests, such as The Bunny Hop. Food concessions will be available, plus music by DJ Pat George.

Additionally, professional pet pedicures for dogs and cats will be available on-site with all proceeds going to the medical needs of abused and neglected pets in the care of Animal Services. Owned pets on leashes or in carriers are welcome to attend the HOP, but may not enter the shelter's kennel area.

Admission to the event is free, and donations to participating rescue groups are encouraged.

EASTER FAYRE

WHERE/WHEN: The Brandon British Club is sponsoring an Easter Fayre Saturday, April 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the private park at the end of the cul de sac on Lady Elaine Drive in Valrico, off Seffner-Valrico Road.

WHY GO: The fun will include an egg hunt, races, bean bag toss, bouncy castle, face painting, music and a bake sale. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

OLD-FASHIONED COMMUNITY SOCIAL

WHERE/WHEN: There will be an old-fashioned community social at Cracker Country at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa, Saturday, April 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHY GO: Kids can compete in sack races, ring tosses, hoop rolling and guessing games for ribbons and prizes. Visitors can see a blacksmith at work, help with chores and twist rope. The Southern singing group, the Centurians Quartet, will perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and children age 6 to 12 and free for those 5 and younger. For free parking, use the Orient Road service entrance.