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Free and cheap family fun for Oct. 16-18
We can’t bail out your checkbook, but we can bail out your day planner with these free and cheap things to do.
Maybe some free concerts in the park will bring on nice fall weather. The Florida Orchestra is doing its part 
by bringing back its hugely popular Pops in the Park with two shows, Friday at 7 p.m. at River Tower Park in the Sulphur Springs area of Tampa, and Saturday at 7 p.m. in Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg. Gerald Steichen, one of the most versatile young talents in music, will guest conduct all your favorites. (Tchaikovksy’s 1812 Overture, people!) Of course you should bring a picnic, and while you’re at it, bring canned goods to donate to Tampa Bay Harvest’s food bank services.
You have a couple choices this week to bring a blanket and catch a free movie outdoors. The St. Petersburg Pier will be showing The Gold Retrievers starring Steve Guttenberg. Costumes are encouraged (there will be prizes) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Over in Gulfport, they will be showing the 1960s classic Mad Monster Party at the point behind the recreation center at 5730 Shore Blvd. S at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Movie munchies will be sold to support the Gulfport Teen Council.
Take the kids on a Family Friendly Haunted Hike, a spooky one-mile walking tour through the St. Paul-Euclid neighborhood’s creepy alleys, old homes and landmarks where costumed characters tell spooky stories. It’s $5 adults, $1 ages 12 and younger; 2 and younger free at www.espna.org or on site on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Meet at the haunted address of 13th Street and 13th Avenue N in St. Petersburg. For more Halloween fun, much of it free or cheap, see this roundup.
Got a floating flea collar? Cool off with your pet at the Soggy Doggie Day at
the Highland Family Aquatic Center, 400 Highland Ave., Largo, Saturday
where they will have two two-hour sessions that will feature dog
splashing, activities and contests. The sessions are divided for dogs
18 inches and smaller, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; dogs 19 inches and taller,
1:30-3:30 p.m. Remember to bring your dog’s proof of vaccination. Dogs
are $5 but families are free (but no swimming for you).
Elmo takes on flower power! In a Sesame Street Live a traveling show called Elmo’s Green Thumb, the 
Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater.
The Sweetwater Organic Community Farm will once again invite friends and fans to bring a covered dish and enjoy music by the Urban Gypsies at the Planters Ball on Saturday. The dining and dancing under the stars begins at 5:30 p.m. at the farm, 6942 W Comanche Ave. in Tampa. Fresh organic salad and bread provided; benefits Sweetwater Farm. Price: $10, $5 ages 6-12, 5 and younger free.
Take the kids to Tampa’s fire station no. 20 on Saturday for Fire Safety Day, a free kid-friendly community event including fire truck tours, try on fire gear, K-9 dog demonstrations, helmet safety checks, chair massages, safety information from various vendors, snacks, water and more from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 16200 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Tampa.
And for more fun family events, check out these listings. Get out and enjoy the beautiful cooler weather this weekend.Most Recent Blog Posts
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Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.
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Freelance writer Courtney Cairns Pastor wasn’t so sure about having kids and how she would balance child-rearing with her journalism career. It turned out that her journalism training went to good use. As the mom to a funny, active toddler, she learned to handle him like she did her sources. Never ask yes or no questions (the answer will always be no), get him to be specific (are you crying because you’re wet or your tooth hurts?) and be prepared for anything because no two days are the same. When she’s not playing trucks, Courtney crams for her book club, trains for races and occasionally bursts into showtunes. E-mail her at 
Suzannah DiMarzio has it bad for the Mouse. Although she grew up outside of Boston, she took her degree in tourism management down to Orlando just to work at Disney and the travel industry. Of course, when she married her high school sweetheart, the reception was at Disney. She’s now a seasoned stay-at-home mom to two tweens and a toddler – and yes, that is as crazy as it sounds. Suzannah has her own blog, Comment Policy
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