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5 things to do under $5 in Tampa Bay this weekend

A 12-hour party in the Skipperdome, stargazing and a family-friendly Williams Park festival provide free and cheap entertainment.
 
Patrons hit the dance floor at Tampa venue Skipper's Smokehouse in 2015.
Patrons hit the dance floor at Tampa venue Skipper's Smokehouse in 2015. [ LUIS SANTANA | Tampa Bay Times (2015) ]
Published Sept. 18, 2019

1. Area 39: Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa celebrates its 39th anniversary Saturday with a free 12-hour party that starts at noon and features 12 bands and cake. The lineup is a greatest hits of local artists from the Betty Fox Band (1 p.m.) to Uncle John’s Band (10 p.m.), the record-setters who have played their Grateful Dead show at the Skipperdome every Thursday since 1998. Rex Floyd, the four-man Pink Floyd tribute band, closes out the night. 910 Skipper Road. skipperssmokehouse.com.

A crowd gathers outside as Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa lights up at night.
A crowd gathers outside as Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa lights up at night. [ Courtesy of Skipper's Smokehouse ]

2. Good With Me Day Festival: Williams Park in downtown St. Petersburg will be transformed into a family-friendly festival in celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace. The city parks department is calling it a day to introduce families to healthy hands-on activities including relay races, an obstacle course, yoga, a rock scavenger hunt, rock wall climbing, belly dance lessons, face painting, art and nutritious food. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Fourth Street and First Avenue N. goodwithme.com.

3. Stargazing: There are two opportunities to bring the family to see cosmic objects with the help of high-powered telescopes this weekend. MOSI’s Skywatch lets guests use telescopes as astronomers explain what’s up there. This month you should be able to see the planets Jupiter and Saturn and some of the more visible stars of the constellations Scorpio, Boötes and the Summer Triangle. Free. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. (813) 987-6000. Or you can go stargazing at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, where astronomers set up ’scopes and the public is welcome to view. 8 p.m. Saturday. 10550 Wilderness Blvd., New Port Richey. Free. (727) 255-3083.

On Saturday, stargazing will take center stage at Tampa's Museum of Science & Industry and New Port Richey's Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park.
On Saturday, stargazing will take center stage at Tampa's Museum of Science & Industry and New Port Richey's Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. [ CAROLYN KASTER | AP ]

4. Tampa Bay Boat Show: You’ll find a large collection of pontoons, cruisers, center consoles, inflatables, personal watercraft, standup paddleboards and exhibits at the Florida State Fairgrounds. There also will be Florida Fishing School seminars on topics such as fishing for fall redfish, how to catch bait and finding the big ones. Free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. 4802 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. (727) 893-8106. tampabay.com/expos.

5. Drive Electric Tampa Bay: The annual festival promoting the benefits of electric vehicle use includes test drives, a vehicle exhibit, green market, youth activities and environmental education. Free. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Oldsmar City Hall, 100 State St. W. (813) 749-1100. driveelectrictb.com.