EVENTS THE PLAYERS Championship The PGA Tour’s second-richest event returns to its primo pre-Masters spot, giving golf fans a high-stakes warmup to the year’s first major. When: March 12-17 Where: TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach Web: theplayers.com Tampa Bay Blues Festival Combines some of the country’s hottest blues with the beautiful waterfront Vinoy Park during some of the best weather of the year. When: April 12-14 Where: Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg Web: tampabaybluesfest.com Forgotten Coast En Plein Air A 10-day festival of art workshops, lectures, gallery shows and outdoor painting stations along the coast. When: May 3-12 Where: Alligator Point to Mexico Beach Web: pleinairfl.com 12 Hours of Sebring One of racing’s most beloved endurance races promises to bring even more racing and a heightened fan experience. When: March 13-16 Where: Sebring International Raceway, Sebring Web: sebringraceway.com Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival More than a dozen world-class sand sculptors create incredible sculptures using Clearwater Beach’s famous sugar-like sand. Features live music, fireworks and even a giant sandbox. When: April 12-28 Where: Clearwater Beach Web: sugarsandfestival.com Romanza Festivale Ten dazzling days dedicated to celebrating all of the creative arts, from theater to dance to visual arts. More than 80 performances and exhibits take the stage throughout the city. When: May 3-12 Where: St. Augustine Web: romanzafestivale.com March Madness The hopes and dreams of eight NCAA men’s college basketball teams take flight during tournament matchups. Two will advance to the Sweet Sixteen. When: March 21, 23 Where: Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, downtown Jacksonville Web: ncaa.com/final-four South Walton Beaches Food & Wine Festival Savvy wine lovers use the tasting booklet to fine-tune their battle plan and choose samples from the Grand Tasting’s 800 wines. When: April 25-28 Where: Miramar Beach Web: sowalwine.com Fort Lauderdale Air Show The U.S. Navy’s famous Blue Angels bring thunder in the sky. You’ll also see some of the nation’s most popular military jets and civilian aerobatic acts. When: May 4-5 Where: Fort Lauderdale Beach Web: lauderdaleairshow.com Florida Folk Festival This three-day event along the legendary Suwannee River celebrates Florida’s diverse range of traditional musical and dance forms. When: May 24-26 Where: Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs Web: floridastateparks.org/events/ florida-folk-festival Florida Blueberry Festival This folksy fair has a new location this year for its offering of blueberry pies, jams and wines. When: March 28-31 Where: Kissimmee Web: floridablueberryfestival.org Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Beach Party Contestants only get one chance to throw a dead fish across the Florida state line into Alabama. When: April TBD Where: Flora-Bama Lounge, Package & Oyster Bar, Perdido Key Web: florabama.com APRIL Sebring Soda Festival A family-friendly celebration of the soft drink, this event showcases rare craft sodas and features live music, food trucks and much more. When: April 5-6 Where: Sebring Web: visitsebring.com/events Silver Spurs Rodeo For over 60 years, this Osceola County tradition has been delighting crowds with bull riding, barrel racing and more. When: May 31-June 1 Where: Kissimmee Web: silverspursrodeo.com MAY Sunfest You and about 175,000 other folks can see great national music acts and much more: a juried arts and crafts show, three floating bars, fireworks and great food. When: May 2-5 Where: Flagler Drive, downtown West Palm Beach Web: sunfest.com JUNE St. Pete Pride St. Pete Pride has quickly grown a name for itself, drawing people from all over the region to its colorful street festival and night parade. When: June 21-23 Where: St. Petersburg Web: stpetepride.com Word of [South] This festival of literature and music features bestselling authors and acclaimed musicians sharing the stage for live music gigs or readings. When: April 12-14 Where: Tallahassee Web: wordofsouthfestival.com Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival Feast on locally caught shrimp while enjoying live music and arts vendors. When: May 3-5 Where: Fernandina Beach Web: shrimpfestival.com 56 ✹ VISITFLORIDA.com
Visit Florida Visit Florida 2019: Page 55
