Tampa Today News: Puerto Rican Distillery Now In Lakeland + Holiday Gift Market
Everything you need to know happening in Tampa.
Happy Saturday and Welcome to 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 more.
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Top stories in Tampa:
Vegan festival returns to Tampa today: The 12th Annual VegFest is today at Perry Harvey Sr. Park in Tampa from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1000 E Harrison St. Guests can enjoy over a hundred vendors, cooking demos, and more. The event is kid-friendly and will have a kids zone. (wtsp.com)
Gasparilla Bowl returning to Tampa on Dec. 22: The Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl is returning to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa for the 15th year on Friday, Dec. 22 at 6:30 p.m. The Christmas week sports game will be the only game playing on that day and draw attention to the Tampa area. Tickets are expected to go on sale this December and will be available online. (ospreyobserver.com)
Puerto Rican distillery comes to Lakeland: Lugo’s Craft Distillery is a Puerto Rican owned distillery now open in Lakeland at 2500 Drane Field Road, Suite 208. The business is owned by Peter Lugo and Christian Lugo. Puerto Rican rums are aged in white oak barrels. Guests can enjoy tours and tastings as well as a lounge. (fox13news.com)
Get your holiday shopping underway: Need to do some Christmas or holiday shopping? The Holiday Gift Market is returning to town from Nov. 9 to Nov. 12 with hundreds of vendors expected to attend at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, located at 4800 US Hwy 301, Tampa, FL 33610. Tickets are now available to attend the market and increase as the date approaches. They run from around $10 to $100. (thatssotampa.com)
Lepley’s Kitchen and Lounge is now open in Seminole Heights at 6310 N. Florida Ave. The restaurant is owned by Hollywood actor Tyler Lepley, from the television shows “Harlem” and “P-Valley.” The menu features Caribbean and Southern cuisines and is run by Executive Chef Leonardis Moss. (tampabay.com, wfla.com)
Events happening today:
India Festival Tampa Bay at Florida State Fairgrounds. (11 a.m.)
Tampa Greek Festival at St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. (11 a.m.)
BADASS Beer Fest 2023 at Tampa Bay Brewing Co. (1 p.m.)
Zac Brown Band - From The Fire Tour at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre. (6:30 p.m.)
Belmont & Can't Swim at Crowbar Ybor. (7 p.m.)
Fran Lebowitz at Straz Center For The Performing Arts. (7:30 p.m.)
Notes:
City of Tampa: “JOB OF THE WEEK: The Technology & Innovation Department is hiring a Video Technical Support Coordinator to operate, maintain, design, & install broadcast TV/audio and manage the fiber optic local area network.” (x.com)
Beans & Barlour cafe and dessert shop in St. Petersburg is closing down after five years of operation. (cltampa.com)
City of Tampa: “TASTE THE SOULWALK: There's just one month left to submit your recipes for the Tampa Soulwalk Community Cookbook! Put the final garnish on your favorite dish and submit by 12/1 for a chance to be featured.” (x.com)
Tampa Theatre: “We have just received word that Taylor Tomlinson, will be postponing her Saturday, Nov. 4 shows due to illness and rescheduling those shows to Saturday, Mar. 23, 2024.” (tampatheatre.com)
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See you guys with another update tomorrow!