Top things to do this weekend in Tampa Bay: Nov. 8-10

PUPPET MASTER: TERRY FATOR

The headliner at the Mirage Hotel in Vegas for more than 10 years, comic ventriloquist Terry Fator has turned his 2007 season-winning performance on America’s Got Talent into a career that frequently landed him on Forbes’ list of the top-earning comics in the country. In addition to his cast of puppets (Winston the Impersonating Turtle; Walter T. Airdale the country singer; annoying neighbor and billionaire Duggie), he can impersonate more than 100 voices, including Elton John, Garth Brooks, Elvis, Louie Armstrong and Bruno Mars. He says he is bringing five new characters on his tour. $49.50-$79.50. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 300-2000. themahaffey.com.

PORK WITH A PURPOSE: BRAT BLAST

The much-loved Ribfest is gone, the victim of ballooning costs and too much competition from other festivals. So St. Petersburg’s Northeast Exchange Club’s inaugural Brat Blast has downsized in order to get back to the business of raising money for charity. The event will benefit Habitat for Humanity to complete home repairs for a local veteran’s family. Admission gets you a brat, a beer and chips, with games and a live band starting at 2 p.m. $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Noon-6 p.m. Sunday. 3 Daughters Brewing, 222 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 536-4755. eventliveus.com.

ARTY PARTY: CREATIVE CLAY FEST

Formerly known as Folkfest St. Pete, the Creative Clay Fest celebrates original art and live music to support the artistic work of people with disabilities. Music is all day on two stages, one under the overpass on First Avenue S and another inside the Hideaway Cafe, with the Sh-Booms, Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets, Ella Jet and Future Soul and others. More than two dozens artists will show their work on site, including “Missionary” Mary Proctor, who founded the American Folk Art Museum and Gallery in Tallahassee. Her paintings, collages and assemblages have been included in more than 40 group shows, including at Baltimore’s American Visionary Art Museum, the Smithsonian’s Center for African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. There will be a family area with art activities, face painting, magician Cory Van Valin and a food court. Free, though a suggested donation of $5 helps Creative Clay keep its programs running. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. 1846 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 825-0515. creativeclay.org.

ARTY PARTY: CREATIVE CLAY FEST

Formerly known as Folkfest St. Pete, the Creative Clay Fest celebrates original art and live music to support the artistic work of people with disabilities. Music is all day on two stages, one under the overpass on First Avenue S and another inside the Hideaway Cafe, with the Sh-Booms, Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets, Ella Jet and Future Soul and others. More than two dozens artists will show their work on site, including “Missionary” Mary Proctor, who founded the American Folk Art Museum and Gallery in Tallahassee. Her paintings, collages and assemblages have been included in more than 40 group shows, including at Baltimore’s American Visionary Art Museum, the Smithsonian’s Center for African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. There will be a family area with art activities, face painting, magician Cory Van Valin and a food court. Free, though a suggested donation of $5 helps Creative Clay keep its programs running. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. 1846 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 825-0515. creativeclay.org.

HEROES WEEKEND: VETERANS DAY

Monday is Veterans Day, and Gulfport will get things started Saturday for Heroes Weekend with a parade down Beach Boulevard, followed by opening ceremonies and the eighth annual VETSports Beach Volleyball Gulfport Open. Free. 11 a.m. Sunday. 5730 Shore Blvd., Gulfport.

And the American Legion Post in Madeira Beach has what it calls the nation’s only Veterans Day Boat Parade. 10 a.m. Saturday. Viewing areas include the John’s Pass boardwalk, ROC Park at 200 Rex Place, Madeira Beach, the American Legion Post and the Elks Lodge.

Official ceremonies will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 3602 U.S. 301, Tampa and at 11 a.m. Monday at the National Cemetery at VA Medical Center at Bay Pines, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg. Both are free, with keynote speakers and color guards.