Top Tampa Bay area events: Easter, AirFest and Sugar Sand Festival
Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival: The 17-day sand-sculpting festival pays tribute to Tampa Bay’s beaches and sunsets. There will be free activities for all ages, including a children’s play area, street performers, artisans, live entertainment, fireworks, sand-sculpting classes, speed sand demonstrations and the master sand-sculpting competition. Stroll through a 21,000-square-foot tent filled with sand art crafted by world-class sculptors. $14, 3 and younger free. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday (March 29-30), 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday (March 31). Pier 60, 1 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater. 727-871-8060.
Tampa Bay AirFest: Enjoy two days of military and civilian static and aerial performances featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. All five branches of the military and first responder agencies will be represented. Bring the family to tour giant military aircraft. Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, folding chairs and refillable water bottles are recommended. Free. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday (March 29-30). MacDill Air Force Base, 6801 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. 813-725-1795.
War Chamber: Legendary wrestler Dusty Rhodes inspired wrestling promoter Court Bauer, who is bringing Major League Wrestling action to St. Petersburg for a pay-per-view event. The event features a main match between two teams of four fighting inside a “War Chamber,” which is two rings surrounded by a cage. Wrestlers portray villains or heroes in story lines with predetermined endings. $14-$65. 7 p.m. Friday (March 29). Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-892-5202.
Bay Area Renaissance Festival: Shout “huzzah” to the king and queen at the 45th annual festival. New this year are the Capture the Magic Photo Experience, Fairy Tale Tea Party, House of Dragons Pub, Barbie Princess, Barrel Ride and Mermaid Cove. The festival closes with an “Easter Enchantment” theme, with a weekend of egg hunts, bonnet parades and more. $12.95-$20.95. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (March 30-31). 12838 Auton Road, Dade City. 352-999-5946.
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. $37 and up. 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday (March 26-29), 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday (March 30), 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday (March 31). 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 wines, beers and ciders. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (March 30). Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. 813-752-9100.
Family Favorites Series: This installment of Tampa Theatre’s Family Favorites series features the 2004 film Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” (PG, 108 minutes). $10, $8 ages 3-12, $7 members, 2 and younger free. 3 p.m. Sunday (March 31). Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St. 813-274-8286.
Underwater Egg Hunt: The Easter Bunny has dumped hundreds of eggs in the pool and needs the help of kids 5 and older to get them out. All participants get a prize after the hunt. $6, $4 spectator. Noon-3 p.m. Friday (March 29). Southwest Recreation Complex and Pool, 13120 Vonn Road, Largo. 727-518-3125.
Easter at the Farm: Children can enjoy age-appropriate egg hunts and a goodie bag at the end. Includes a rabbit touch area, a meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny and bounce houses. Pony rides $10 additional. Tickets for particular time slots and age groups must be purchased in advance. Open to ages 1-12 only. $15. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday-Sunday (March 29-31). DK Farms and Gardens, 1750 Lake Ave. SE, Largo. 727-348-0818.
Easter Sunday Skate Party: Get ready to roll for Easter at this skate party with skating games, hourly meet-and-greets with the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, scavenger hunt and laser tag. Includes skate rental, one slice of pizza, one drink and five game credits. $20. 1:30-7 p.m. Sunday (March 31). Skateworld of Tampa, 7510 Paula Drive. 813-884-7688.
Juanes: The Colombian singer-songwriter-guitarist, who has won numerous music awards, performs. $70-$190. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday (March 26-27). Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 813-627-7625.
Girl From the North Country: Straz Broadway series: This Tony Award-winning new musical reimagines 20 of Bob Dylan’s songs, including “Forever Young,” “All Along the Watchtower” and “Like a Rolling Stone.” Set in 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota, the lives of a group of wayward travelers intersect in a guesthouse. $47.75. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday (March 27-28), 2 and 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday (March 29-30). David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.
Streetcar Live: Gasparilla Music Fest is a partner in the ongoing series of live music on the TECO Streetcar in downtown Tampa. With a capacity of just 74, the historic streetcar provides an intimate musical experience during a free ride. Free 6-8 p.m. Friday (March 29). Centro Ybor, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa. 813-242-4660.
The Peasants: “The Peasants” (R, 116 minutes) tells the story of a young woman determined to forge her own path in a late 19th century Polish village. When she finds herself caught between a rich farmer, his eldest son and other leading men of the community, her resistance puts her on a tragic course. $12, $10 seniors/students. 2 p.m. Tuesday (March 26), 4 and 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday (March 27-28). Green Light Cinema, 221 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 508-816-8968.
Dyngus Day: The loading dock transforms into a wet zone for this end of Lent festival featuring live polka music by Jasiu’s All Stars (1-5 p.m.), Polish food samplers, Fuzzy Dupas and water gun fights. No cover. 11 a.m. April 1. Original Crabby Bills, 401 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach. 727-595-4825.
