Tampa Today News: Festival de Bomba + Vault of Souls Return

Everything you need to know about what is happening in Tampa.

Welcome to the first edition of Tampa Today News. I’m Carlos Hernandez, your host explaining everything you need to know about what’s happening in Tampa including local news, events, and happenings. Here’s what you need to know about what is happening in town:

1. Festival de Bomba y Plena coming to Water Works Park: Celebrate the music and culture of Puerto Rico on Sunday, Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. off the Tampa Riverwalk near Ulele. The festival is presented by Imagen Latina Entertainment. (fleventsandfestivals.com)

2. Employment nonprofit working to help local veterans in Tampa: CareerSource Tampa Bay is hosting a Veteran's Resource Fair on Thursday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will focus on resources for the military community to prepare for the upcoming annual Paychecks for Patriots Veterans Job Fair on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. At least 30 employers are expected to join the job fair. (tampabaynewswire.com)

3. Focusing on transportation solutions in Tampa: City of Tampa is creating a Regional Infrastructure Accelerator office with a federal grant to help find funding for transportation projects. The office will focus on the city’s $2 billion transportation plan. One focus is building a transportation line to the Tampa International Airport. (wusf.org, planetizen.com)

4. Tampa’s extravagant annual Halloween party returns: The Vault of Souls is returning to downtown Tampa from Oct. 26 to Oct. 29. Guests can enjoy four interactive performances at the event. There will be welcome cocktails, appetizers, desserts, and valet parking included with admission. Tickets are available online. (thatssotampa.com)

5. Local Carrollwood seafood market with history shuts down: A long-running and family-run seafood shop shuttered in Tampa's Carrollwood neighborhood last month. Cox’s Seafood Market is now closed after decades of business. The business center is on the market, according to Business Observer. (businessobserverfl.com)

The new Beacon bar at JW Marriott in downtown Tampa’s Water Street district on the 27th floor is a sight to see.

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Happening in town today (Oct. 21):

• Spooky Tampa Bar Crawl at 777 N Ashley Dr. (6 p.m.)

• Family Movie Night at Ragan Park. (6:30 p.m.)

• UNDead in the Water at American Victory Ship & Museum. (7:30 p.m.)

• Beso de la Luna: A Night in the Riverwalk at Hotel Tampa Riverwalk. (8 p.m.)

• Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at Centro Asturiano de Tampa. (9 p.m.)

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Lotte Market is opening soon in New Tampa on Friday, Nov. 3 at 9 a.m.! The Asian grocery story offers a great selection of food from South Korea, Japan, and other Asian countries as well as hard-to-find produce and meat options. This location will also feature a bakery and a food hall with Asian food options. Find more info at lotteplaza.com.

Source: Tampa Bay Asian Foodies Facebook Group

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Notes:

• Tampa Pig Jig is sold out. The annual festival is featuring Brad Paisley as the headline performer and will draw large crowds to Curtis Hixon Park today.

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) are set to face the Atlanta Falcons (3-3) on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, at 1 p.m. EST at Raymond James Stadium. Tickets are still available. (buccaneers.com)

• Check your flight status: Spirit Airlines has canceled a number of flights out of Tampa International Airport over the next few days due to necessary flight inspections of aircrafts. (baynews9.com)

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If you have a news tip, I am all ears. My e-mail is carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.