GET OUT: Weekend Events Preview Oct. 14-16

Fall is here and, with it, comes a variety of activities in the Bloomingdale-Riverview Patch area. Check them out:

WHERE/WHEN: The FishHawk Ranch Pumpkin Festival will take place Saturday, Oct. 15 in the Starling neighborhood in FishHawk Ranch.

WHY GO: 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.

WHERE/WHEN: The Hillsborough County Fair continues Friday, Oct. 14, to Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Hillsborough County fairgrounds at Sydney-Washer Road on the north side of State Road 60.

WHY GO: 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, and a new addition, the Harvest Queen and Junior Harvest Queen Pageant.

Livestock shows featuring animals raised by 4-H and FFA members include rabbits, pigs, cows, poultry, goats and lambs.

On Oct. 15, there will be 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 third annual Chili Cook-off hosted by the Rotary Club of FishHawk-Riverview will take place Oct. 16 from noon to 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come out and taste chili made by groups, individuals and youth entrants in the contest, and vote for their favorite choice.

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

Also in the arena will be the Bay Area Bandits Mounted Shooting Club and the Youth Bull Whip Cracking Contest.

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

Arnold Amusements will offer a ride special opening day. All rides will be $1. On Thursday, fair-goers can get a ride wristband for $15.

On Friday, wristbands are $20 and on Saturday and Sunday, Arnold's will offer a two-wristband special for $20 each.

Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday.

For information, call 813-737-FAIR /737-3247. On Sunday, anyone bringing a church bulletin will get $2 off admission.

WHERE/WHEN: 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.

WHY GO: 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.

WHERE/WHEN: Do you have a top dog? Then here's an event for you.

Aliquity, an organization that raises funds for nonprofit community causes, will host its 2011 DogFest Sunday, Oct. 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the future site of the Starling Clubhouse on Starling Crossing Drive in FishHawk Ranch.

WHY GO: Last year's DogFest attracted several hundred people who came together to show off their dogs, interact with local vendors and raise funds for pet-related causes. Aliquity expects this year's event to be even bigger.

In addition to vendor displays, DogFest will include music, food, drinks, contests, demonstrations, samples and raffle prizes.

Prizes will be given for the best costume, cutest puppy and owner/dog look-alikes.

For more information, email dottie@aliquity.com or call 813-230-4179.

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

WHY GO: 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.

WHERE/WHEN: Lamb of God Lutheran Church continues its first Godtoberfest celebration this weekend with a catered dinner and auction Oct. 14 on its campus and a rummage/trunk sale Saturday, Oct. 15, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHY GO: The dinner will feature fine Italian dining and a variety of items available for auction. The trunk sale will feature donated items and refreshments.