MAR/APR 2010

Mar. 18-20 Key West Red Barn Theatre presents ALWAYS ...PATSY CLINE
By Ted Swindley
More than a tribute, this wildly popular play is a show about friendship and the eternal magic of great music. Special Performance San Carlos Institute. Three nights only!
(305-296-9911) (www.redbarntheatre.com)

Mar. 20 - Great Atlantic Seafood and Music Festival - Jacksonville Beach

March 22-28 – Delray Beach Film Festival Celebrating its 5^th year, the Delray Beach Film Festival (DBFF) brings high-quality independent short and feature-length films and documentaries, panels and workshops, concerts, screenwriter and script-to-reel contests, actors, celebrities, and parties to Delray Beach.
The Festival offers an impressive line-up of activities for filmmakers and festival-goers alike. This year, the DBFF recognizes Sharon Gless (Burn Notice) and Jessica Walters (Play Misty for Me) with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Festivities include gala events,  a Battle of the Bands, cocktail hours, nightly parties, panels and filmmaking workshops by industry insiders on screenwriting, film financing, and rights. 
(561-381-3212) (www.dbff.us) (www.delraybeachfilmfestival.com) 

Apr. 2, 2010 - Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Orangutan Egg Hunt
Watch the Zoo's orangutans have some Easter fun with their own egg hunt, an annual treat for the primates and zoogoers. The egg hunt is included with Zoo admission and begins at 11 a.m. (www.lowryparkzoo.com)

Apr. 2-4 - Pensacola Wine Festival (Pensacola)
Sample more than 100 wines from around the world while Pensacola's top restaurants lead cooking demonstrations. (850-434-5371) (www.pensacolawinefestival.com)

Apr. 3 - Delray GreenMarket Easter Bonnet Dog Parade (Delray Beach) The best dressed dogs in Delray strut their stuff in a parade down Atlantic Avenue, from the GreenMarket to the front lawn of the Cornell Museum. Numerous categories including Owner-Doggie Look-Alike contests. The $2 entry fee goes to Animal Rescue Force. (www.greenmarketcra.org)

Apr. 7 - May 8 Key West Red Barn Theatre presents: SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATRE - A Myriad of Directors and A Cast of Thousands
Our passion for fabulous ten-minute plays continues! Short Attention Span? No problem. Something new is always about to happen in this festival of short plays.
(305-296-9911) (www.redbarntheatre.com)

Apr. 9-11 Greater Pine Island weekends continue with the extended gallery hours on Friday, singer/songwriter concert, seminars and workshops Sat. and Sunday, kayak, boat, nature cruises and tours. (www.pineislandchamber.org)

Apr. 10-11 Florida International Air Show (Charlotte County Airport, Punta Gorda) this 30th Annual show presents spectacular aerial stunts from a variety of performers. (941-639-1101) (www.floridaairshow.com)

Apr. 10-17 - Bubbafest Bike Tours (Florida Keys & Key West)
New in the Florida Keys, join a biking and resort camping experience, from Key Largo to Key West. Lodging, meals and plenty of sunshine, scenery and memories included. Event limited to first 125 participants. Visit Web site for details. (321-759-3433) (www.bubbafestbiketours.com)

Apr. 11-13 Pillsbury Bake Off Final (Orlando)
100 finalists. 100 mini kitchens. The 100 finalists will compete for the million-dollar grand prize.

Apr. 17 Key West Theatre presents HOW SWEET IT IS!
Carmen Rodriguez and John Wells
Two of Key West's most beloved performers with the music and the lore of two legendary singers. Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor. Special Performance San Carlos Institute. One night only! (305-296-9911) (www.redbarntheatre.com)

Apr. 22-25 - Florida's Birding and Fotofest (Northeast Florida) Professional photographers give hands-on advice and nature excursions throughout Northeast Florida. 

Apr. 24-25 The Great American Pie Festival (Celebration)
The American Pie Council is holding the annual Great American Pie Festival and National Pie Championships in Celebration April 24-25. Hundreds of pie bakers from all over the country converge in Celebration to participate and claim the title of best pie maker in junior, amateur and professional categories. The pie festival is a free event with pie making demos, music, entertainment, PieCasso art, pie eating contests and a never ending pie buffet.

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MAY/JUNE 2010

May 3-9 - THE PLAYERS Championship is one of golf's biggest events planed annually on the coastline of Northeast Florida at the famed Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. 

May 9, 2010 - Mother's Day at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo
Bring mom to the Zoo and she gets in for free! In honor of Mother's Day, moms receive free admission on May 9 with the purchase of their son's or daughter's full-priced admission ticket (paid ticket can be child or adult admission, as applicable). For moms to receive free ticket offer, the paid ticket must be purchased on May 9 only. Offer not combinable with other discounts. (www.lowryparkzoo.com)

May 27-30 - Jacksonville Jazz Festival This free even features a street party atmosphere and four stages in the city's Laura Street corridor. 

June 18-20 - Punta Gorda 7th Annual National Hibiscus Festival Enjoy this tropical and exotic plant sale, farmers market, secret garden tours and kids entertainment. (941-575-3302)

June 20, 2010 - Father's Day at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo
The Zoo is wild about dads - bring yours for free! In honor of Father's Day, dads receive free admission on June 20 with the purchase of their son's or daughter's full-priced admission ticket. For dads to receive free ticket offer, the paid ticket must be purchased on June 20 only. Offer not combinable with other discounts. (www.lowryparkzoo.com)

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JUL/AUG 2010

July 10-11, 2010 - 13th Annual MangoMania Tropical Fruit Fair, Cape Coral/Pine Island. The mando is the star attraction for two days as visitors sample this locally-grown delicacy. The festival also features live music, kids' activities and rides. Admission $6 for adults; free for 9 and under. (www.mangomania.com) 

Aug. 7, 2010 - Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo features WaZoo presented by J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. Featured as one of the "10 Great Beer Festivals in the Country" by USA Today, this 15th annual tropical taste explosion features more than 200 beers and beverages from around the world, food sampling from local restaurants, and live music from local artists. The event is rain or shine. Advance tickets available online or by phone in July, or at the door the night of the event. (www.lowryparkzoo.com)

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SEPT/OCT 2010

Sept. 18-19, 2010 - Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo's Fisher-Price Play Weekend
A super-sized play area filled with the coolest new toys from Fisher-Price and special character appearances. The event is ideal for kids under 6 years old and a wild time for the whole family! Play activities and character meet-and-greets are included with Zoo admission. (www.lowryparkzoo.com)

Oct. 9-10, 2010 - Peace River Seafood Festival (Punta Gorda) features tasty seafood, live entertainment and fun for kids. (www.peaceriverseafoodfestival.com)

Oct. 17-23, 2010 - 21st Annual "Ding" Darling Days (Sanibel Island) This week of eco-activities features free refuge tram tours, live wildlife presentations, kids activities, Federal Duck Stamp artist presentation and more! The festival celebrates the birthday of the refuge's namesake, conservationist and Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist Jay N. "Ding" Darling. www.dingdarlingdays.com

Oct. 20-21, 2010 - Placida Rotary Nautical Flea Market - a family fun event with unique nautical bargains, silent auction, crab races and more! (941-697-2271)

Oct. 29-Nov. 7, 2010 - 5th Annual Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival Along the Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail in Southwest Florida, events include activities that will help attendees achieve a "carbon neutral" vacation experience with tips to bring home. A nature photography contest and family-oriented outdoors eco-fests round out the offerings. (www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com)

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