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Watermelon festival, powerboat races, Etsy craft party: 11 things to do this weekend in Tampa Bay

You can find plenty to do around the bay, including Independence Day races and festivals.

Hugh Jackman at Amalie Arena

He portrayed The Greatest Showman P.T. Barnum and a former French prisoner during the June Rebellion in Les Misérables. Now, Hugh Jackman is showcasing his talents on a world tour in 2019. The Golden Globe and Tony award-winning performer brings his "The Man. The Music. The Show." tour to Tampa Friday night. Tickets start at $29.50 through Ticketmaster and the tour's website.

Previous: Hugh Jackman brings world tour to Tampa's Amalie Arena

Melons for Moolah Watermelon Festival

The free festival at Safety Harbor Waterfront Park benefits the Public Library Foundation. The event will have a kids zone with water slides and carnival games, live entertainment, a homebrew competition, local food and drinks and a screening of 'The Goonies' on a giant movie screen. Contests include ones for watermelon seed spitting, watermelon eating, costumes and the “watermelon crawl” dance.

3-10 p.m. Saturday, 105 Veteran’s Memorial Lane.

More information here.

Summer Classics: Sing-Along Grease

The quintessential classic summer flick gets a sing-along element Sunday afternoon at Tampa Theatre. Sing along to “Summer Nights,” “You’re the One That I Want” and “Beauty School Drop-Out” as Grease plays on the screen in the historic theater. Movie-goers will also get a free souvenir poster in the lobby before the screening. Tickets are $13. Doors open at 2 p.m.

711 N Franklin St., Tampa

More information here

Etsy Craft Party

Local crafters, vendors and vintage sellers fill the St. Petersburg Coliseum during the Tampa Bay Etsy Crew Craft Party. No ticket is required for the free event and there will also be live crafting demonstrations and make & take project stations for everyone. A raffle will benefit Ready for Life, Inc., which helps young adults transition out of the foster care system.

10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 535 4th Ave. N, St. Petersburg

More information here.

Williams Park Summer Market

Downtown St. Petersburg is the place to be for markets this weekend. Over at Williams Park, there’s a summer market with live music, local vendors, fresh produce, food and drink vendors, arts and crafts and more. The market runs every Saturday through August 31. 

9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 350 2nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg.

More information here.

Law enforcement appreciation day with the Rays

Law enforcement professionals will be honored during Sunday’s Rays game against the New York Yankees. Proceeds from some tickets will be donated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The game is at 1:10 p.m.

1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg

More information here.

Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix

The festival wraps up its 35th year this weekend. Sunday’s race will see an international fleet of powerboat team race along the length of Lido Beach in Sarasota. Friday has meet and greets with the race teams at the Hyatt Regency along with a “Boats on the Block party where you can get up close to the racing boats. There’s also a car and motorcycle show on Saturday. The big races kick off at 10 a.m. Sunday.

More information here.

Half Christmas Party

Can’t wait until December to celebrate the holidays? Head to Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails Saturday night. Sing along to a Christmas soundtrack, sip eggnog or spiked holiday punch and crunch on candy canes. There will also be festive decor, a Christmas tree and lights. Holiday outfits are encouraged, but good luck with that in the Florida heat. 

7 p.m. to midnight, 1111 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

More information here

Guided tours at Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary

This sanctuary in Wimauma is home to rescued exotic animals like parrots, lemurs, tigers, bears, leopards, wolves and reptiles. The first Sunday of each month sees special guided tours for the public to learn more about these creatures. Ticket sales benefit the sanctuary and animal upkeep. Tickets $15, $10 for seniors and $7.50 for kids 12 and younger.

12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. 

13910 Seminole Trail, Wimauma.

More information here.

Independence Run 5K and 10K

Keep the July 4th celebrations going Sunday with patriotic races in Al Lopez Park. The event promises to be bigger and better with cooler medals and shirts, a live band, update finish lines, a color guard and food vendors. Registration is $35. 

8-11 a.m. Sunday

4810 N Himes Ave., Tampa

More information here.

World Cup watch parties

Cheer on the USWNT as they are now just one game away from winning the World Cup. Several watch parties are planned across Tampa Bay.

  • American Social Tampa, 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa
  • Independent Bar and Cafe, 5016 N. Florida Ave., Tampa
  • Rec Dec St. Pete, 380 105th Terrace NE, St. Petersburg
  • The Avenue Eat + Drink, 330 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg

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