Top events this week: Tampa Bay Rodeo, Pinellas Pepper Fest and Tampa Bay Blues Fest
Tampa Bay Rodeo: The area’s top men and women will compete in bull riding, bronco busting, calf roping and more, and there will be a family festival with food, activities and a mechanical bull. Country singer Emmet Stevens Jr. will perform both nights. In addition, there will be monster truck rides, camel rides, a giant slide, Jenga and cornhole. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the rodeo begins at 8. $15-$30, 3 and younger free. 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday (April 12-13). Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Road, Brandon. 813-737-3247.
Pinellas Pepper Fest: The 17th annual celebration of all things spicy features vendors offering sauces, salsas, rubs, spicy food, plants, peppers, food products, gadgets and kitchenware, along with spicy contests and music. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (April 13-14). England Brothers Bandshell Park, 5010 81st Ave. N., Pinellas Park. 727-322-5217.
Tampa Bay Blues Fest: The kickoff party features the Blood Brothers, a blues rock band featuring Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia and winner of Blues Music Awards for Best Blues Rock Album and Best Blues Rock Artist for 2022 and 2023. $40. 8 p.m. Thursday (April 11). Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-822-3590. The main festival takes place Friday through Sunday, when some of the biggest names on the American blues scene take the stage in Vinoy Park. This year’s lineup includes Grace Potter, Blood Brothers, Bywater Call, Altered Five Blues Band and King Solomon Hicks (Friday); Beth Hart, Lil’Ed and the Blues Imperials, Robert Jon and the Wreck, Southern Avenue and Cash Box Kings (Saturday); and Tab Benoit, Coco Montoya, Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets, Bernard Allison and Ally Venable (Sunday). $70, $175 three days. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday (April 12-13), noon-10 p.m. Sunday (April 14). Vinoy Park, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg.
Bruce Bruce: The comedian who has been featured on the Netflix original comedy series “Family Reunion” and has made cameos in “XXX: State of the Union,” “Idlewild” and “Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector” performs. $42-$52. 7:45 and 10:15 p.m. Friday (April 12), 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday (April 13), 7 p.m. Sunday (April 14). Tampa Funny Bone (formerly the Improv), 1600 E. Eighth Ave. 813-864-4000.
Billy Strings: The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter who was nominated for three Grammys this year (Best Bluegrass Album, Best American Roots Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance) performs. $39.50-$74.50. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday (April 12-13). Yuengling Center, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-974-3111.
Melissa Etheridge: The Grammy Award-winning singer and activist brings her I’m Not Broken Tour to Tampa. $95-$145. 8 p.m. Thursday (April 11). Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 813-627-7625.
Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival: The annual sand-sculpting event, which includes a children’s play area, street performers, fireworks, sand-sculpting classes, demonstrations and the master sand-sculpting competition, continues. Visitors can also stroll through a 21,000-square-foot tent filled with art crafted by world-class sand sculptors. $14, 3 and younger free. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday (April 8-11), 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday (April 12-13), 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday (April 14). Pier 60, 1 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater. 727-871-8060.
Rockin’ Roller Rink: Lace up your skates for some skate dancing under the disco ball on the St. Pete Pier. Theme nights include Pride Day (Monday), ‘80s Vibes (Tuesday), Beyoncé Tribute (Wednesday), ‘90s Party (Thursday), 2020s (Friday), DJ’s Choice (Saturday) and Family Day (Sunday). $17. 4-10 p.m. Monday (April 8), 6-10 p.m. Tuesday (April 9), 4-10 p.m. Wednesday (April 10), 6-10 p.m. Thursday (April 11), 6-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday (April 12-13), noon-10 p.m. Sunday (April 14). St. Pete Pier, 600 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. 813-464-1657.
Ukulele Festival: Clearwater’s downtown will come alive with ukulele performances, ukulele lessons and concerts by the Birdwatchers and Kirk Jones with Vinny and Norine Mungo. Free-$40. Noon-8 p.m. Saturday (April 13). 400 to 500 block of Cleveland Street, Clearwater. 727-446-3001.
International Day of Laughter: Bring the family, blankets and chairs and join host and singer-songwriter Wil Seabrook for an afternoon of comedy, juggling, art and music. Free. 1-5 p.m. Saturday (April 13). Art in the Park, 1180 Cleveland St., Clearwater. 602-561-0723.
Clearwater Threshers: The Threshers take on the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. Stick around Friday and Saturday for post-game fireworks. $9-$12. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (April 9-13), noon Sunday (April 14). BayCare Ballpark, 601 N. Old Coachman Road, Clearwater. 727-467-4457.
Eddie B’s Teachers Only Comedy Tour: Eddie B, who taught fifth grade and launched a web series, “What Teachers Really Want to Say,” performs. $40 and up. 8 p.m. Saturday (April 13). David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.
Blueberry Festival: This pet- and family-friendly event features u-pick blueberries, more than 100 food and craft vendors, bounce houses, live music, a kids zone, camel rides, a petting zoo and a wide selection of wines, beers and ciders. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (April 13-14). Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. 813-752-9100.
TEDx St. Petersburg College: This single-day conference experience hosts a series of video and live speakers, each presenting a TEDx talk to an audience of thinkers, creators and doers. $20, $10 students. 9 a.m. Wednesday (April 10). Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-822-3590.
Sacred Heart Spring Festival: Enjoy a full midway with amusement rides, games, food, live entertainment and a flea market. Free, rides $12 and up. 6-11 p.m. Wednesday-Friday (April 10-12), noon-11 p.m. Saturday (April 13), noon-8 p.m. Sunday (April 14). Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 7809 46th Way N., Pinellas Park. 727-541-4447.
Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical: Take a trip back to Hawkins, Indiana, in 1983, when times were simpler, hair was bigger and unsupervised children were getting snatched by interdimensional creatures, in this live musical riff on the hit Netflix series. There will be an ‘80s arcade in the lobby and VIP beanbag seats. $37 and up. 7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday (April 10-12), 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday (April 13), 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday (April 14). David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.
St. Pete Pier Marketplace: An array of independent vendors will be selling items ranging from apparel and handmade jewelry to specialty food. No cover. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday (April 11-14). St. Pete Pier, 600 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. 727-893-7248.
