WEEKEND STRETCH: LABOR DAY IDEAS
GeckoFest: This whimsical family street festival is just so Gulfport. The funky, artsy town ends every summer with its largest street party dedicated to its unofficial mascot and favorite reptile. This year the theme is GeckoGras with a "Zyde-Geck-O" second line parade done in New Orleans-style that anyone can join. Arrive in costume with your Mardi Gras finest, or grab items to "geckofy" yourself. The wacky walking parade starts moving at 6 p.m., and there will be a costume contest for kids and adults after the parade. The streets on the waterfront will be filled with live music on two stages, hundreds of food, art and craft vendors, kids' activities, a bevy of acrobats, magicians, daredevils, dancers, aerialists, escape artists, fire eaters, balloon artists and costumed characters. Costumes are strongly encouraged. Because Gulfport. The party runs 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday along Beach Boulevard. Free.
Busch Gardens fireworks finale: For one last blast of summer, the Tampa theme park will be open until midnight on Saturday and Sunday and until 9 p.m. on Labor Day. Fireworks will be at 9 each night with Gwazi Field open to visitors at 8. And if you haven't embarrassed yourself yet this summer, there's one last chance with a lip synch challenge each night at 8:45. Admission is $97 for adults and $92 for children at buschgardens.com. The park opens at 10 a.m. daily at 3605 Bougainvillea Ave., Tampa. Toll-free 1-888-800-5447.
Happy 40th Tampa Bay Rowdies: Commemorate 40 years of Rowdies soccer history this weekend with a series of events with players, coaches, owners and staff. It starts off Friday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rowdies Den, 200 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg, where players, the Rowdies, Wowdies cheering squad and the Seminole Hard Rock Girls will host trivia games, sign autographs and give out prizes. It's tailgate party time 5 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Al Lang Stadium, 230 First St. SE, St. Petersburg. There will be live music by Travis Williams, games, giveaways and appearances by former Rowdies and Wowdies. Then the Rowdies take the field at 7:30 p.m. to try to unseat the first-place New York Cosmos. An on-field recognition at halftime will include Rowdies legends Steve Wegerle, Wes McLeod, Winston DuBose, John Gorman and coach Gordon Jago. Cap off the celebration back at the Rowdies Den for Sunday brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with current and former players. Specials and regular brunch menu will be available for sale.
Celebrate Oldsmar: Bring blankets and chairs to R.E. Olds Park for two nights of family fun with carnival rides, games and live music, and on Saturday night there will be fireworks. Food, beer and wine will be sold. It's free, though carnival rides cost extra, open 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the park at 107 Shore Drive W, Oldsmar.