You could go to Ribfest for the music, or the bikes and cars, or even for the weather. But we know why we’re going: To eat heaping mounds of dead animal flesh. Mmmm.
Ribfest It's napkin-palooza as ribbers come from as far away as Australia to match their smoke-and-fire skills over the barbecue pits. There's also a family fun zone, BMX stunt shows, a custom car show and music on two stages. It runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Vinoy Park, Fifth Avenue NE and North Shore Drive, St. Petersburg. $10 advance, $15 at gate, 12 and younger free with paid adult. ribfest.org.
Vampires arise
New Moon mania Twilight fans already are sharpening their fangs in anticipation of the New Moon movie release next week. The Vampire Masquerade Ball invites vampire fans to dress as your favorite character and catchTwilight excerpts at the vampire black-out skate from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday at United Skates of America, 5121 N Armenia Ave.; and USA Skateplex, 5313 E Busch Blvd. $8 (includes skates). usa-skating.com.
Beachy keen
Discover Egmont Key On Saturday and Sunday, visitors can explore the barrier island, watch Civil War re-enactors, tour the historic guardhouse and take a rare look inside the lighthouse that has been guiding ships in and out of Tampa Bay for more than 150 years. It's hosted by the Egmont Key Alliance. You can take a shuttle boat to Egmont Key by way of Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on a regular schedule, with the last boat returning from the island at 4 p.m. Admission is $15, 11 and younger free. (727) 481-8230, egmontkey.info.
Hoof it
Heart Walk: Do your heart some good and end up on the Jumbotron like a rock star. Take either a 3-mile or a 1-mile route through Al Lopez Park and Raymond James Stadium and down the sideline of the field. Walkers will have their image displayed on the big screen. It's free, but donations are appreciated for the American Heart Association. It starts at 8 a.m. Saturday at the stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. (727) 563-8114. raymondjames.com/stadium.
Fix 'er up
Tampa Bay Home Show: No more hiding from your honey-do list. Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg will have hundreds of home specialists for one-stop advice and shopping for furniture, decorating ideas, landscaping and remodeling trends. Bring a sample of your soil to be tested by "Mr. Green Thumb" — Stan DeFreitas. The show runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3, and parking is free.
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