This is my kind of weekend. Shopping, a pool party for pups and a walk around ZooTampa for the Lupus Foundation. Here’s a few Ann-Ventures to check out.

You don’t have to wait for the weekend to go to the TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach. The site at Big Bend is a wonderful place for the whole family to see everything from manatees to stingrays, even sharks! The newly expanded trails are fantastic and a real favorite of mine as you can see. The center is now open through April 15th, with a special run for the manatees coming up in January. Check their Facebook page for more info.

Saturday night, I’ll be at ZooTampa at Lowry Park with the Lupus Foundation for The Walk To End Lupus. The zoo closes at 5 pm, and at 5:30 will reopen for registration. I’ll start the opening ceremony at 6:15 pm and we’ll take a nice, one mile walk around the zoo at 6:30 pm. The Dove Events Guide has complete details, and on behalf of all Lupus patients like myself, thanks for your support. Hear from Sara Bentley in What’s Good in Tampa Bay for more.

It’s the first weekend in November which means Vintage Marche will be open Friday through Sunday in the Skyway Marina District, and on Sunday the Independent Flea Market is back in downtown St Pete on Central. Both well worth checking out, and I’ve already seen a few great shots on the Vintage Vintage Marche site with holiday goodies.

Another fun place to take that little canvas wagon along to is in Plant City with the Fancy Flea Market back at the Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds. This is a make-good for me, after showing up in the rain last year and having to turn right back around and go home. This is a really fun market, and a great place to find something for the holidays or just yourself Friday and Saturday.

Now, about the Soggy Doggy Splash Party to close out the season at the Highland Community Center in Largo. The only ones allowed in the pool are the pooches, and the event is this Saturday and Sunday. Yes, there things you need to know on the Play Largo site, like the admission charge and most importantly providing proof of vaccination. Take a look at the site and just be glad you’re not the one cleaning out the filter! This is one of my What’s Good in Tampa Bay interviews this week, and you can take a listen here. Have fun and share those photos.

I love this time of year! So much to do and if you have an event to share with me, let me know at ann.kelly@cmg.com and thanks!

©2022 Cox Media Group