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Things to do in Tampa Bay for Oct. 20: Outdoor edition

Pops in the Park: Pack a picnic and watch a free Florida Orchestra concert.
Pops in the Park: Pack a picnic and watch a free Florida Orchestra concert.
Published Oct. 19, 2012



Florida Orchestra: Pops in the Park: A romantic symphonic concert under the stars — for free. Conductor Stuart Chafetz leads the orchestra in works by John Williams and John Phillip Sousa; selections from The Music Man and Mission Impossible; and, of course, the 1812 Overture and fireworks. Bring a canned food donation. 7 p.m. (get there early for a spot on the grass) at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg.; and 7 p.m. Sunday at River Tower Park in Tampa.

Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading: The annual book festival celebrates its 20th year with a roster of more than 40 authors including Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly. See festivalofreading.com for a schedule. 10 a.m. at USF St. Petersburg, 140 Seventh Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Free.

Streetcar Fest: To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the streetcar line being revived as a tourist attraction, jump on Tampa's historic streetcars for just 10 cents. Catch it at Centro Ybor, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City until 2 a.m. gohart.org.

SPCA Pet Walk: Make your pooch cute as a bug or unleash Lady Dogga for this 22nd annual event along the waterfront. There will be a best dressed pet contest, an adoptable pet parade, doggie fun zone, food trucks, music and vendors. 8:30 a.m. in Straub Park in St. Petersburg. $25. (727) 586-3591. There's more: At Happy Dal-Loween!, there's a costume contest, nail clippings, doggie games and treats for all breeds 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lake Park, 17302 N Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz. $2 per car up to 8 people. (727) 787-1760. The Pet Masquerade Contest features a costume contest with doggie trick-or-treating beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Hyde Park Village in Tampa. $5. (813) 876-4150.

Clearwater Jazz Holiday: Jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding, winner of the 2011 Grammy for Best New Artist, headlines the fest today, while North Carolina folk trio the Avett Brothers close out the event Sunday at Coachman Park in Clearwater. $10 in advance, $15 at the gate; Saturday-Sunday pass is $15 advance, $25 at the gate. (727) 461-5200.

Food Truck Wars: The food truck trend is huge, and it just got bigger with this event, which gathers 40 gourmet trucks from across the state. Bay area entries such as Gone Bananas and Hot Mess Truck will face off against competitors such as Central Florida's Honey Dripper and Taco Slapper. It's at 4 p.m. at Channelside Bay Plaza in Tampa. (813) 223-4250.

St. Pete Oktoberfest: The Grand Central District in St. Petersburg will feature craft beer — including a Homebrewers Challenge — food and live music by bay area bands at this annual 21-and-older event. 5 p.m. $35 at the gate. (727) 828-7006.

Hillsborough County Fair: Food and spinning rides galore at the fair running today and Sunday starting at 10 a.m. at Hillsborough County Fairgrounds. $7, $5 students, 5 and younger free. (813) 737-3247.

Party in the Park: Family-friendly event benefiting Voices for Children of Tampa Bay with food and entertainment, including live music by the Vodkanauts and the Hip Abduction. 3-9 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. Free.

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Boktoberfest: This annual celebration combines the kickoff of fall planting season with a traditional Oktoberfest-style festival. Geert D'hollander, the new carillonneur at the gardens, will perform at 1 and 3 p.m. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales. (863) 676-1408. Free.

KiteOberFest: Kite fliers from all over the world will color the sky over Treasure Island Beach with hundreds of kites up to 100 feet long this weekend. There will also be family activities, food, a kite auction, raffles and kite supply vendors. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Sunday behind the Thunderbird Resort, 10700 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. Free.

Studio Waltz: Now in its 20th year, this tour featuring 20 artists lets you see their work in their studios. The tour ranges through upper Pinellas County and includes 12 studios in Clearwater, Dunedin, Ozona and Palm Harbor. All are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For addresses and a map, go to studiowaltz.com. Free.

Wild n' Wicked Nights: The spirit of Halloween possesses the Weeki Wachee mermaids as they present their spooky "Happily Never After" show, along with other activities including a haunted house, hay rides, a kids maze, crazy carnival, costume contest and a scream contest. 7-11 p.m. at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee. $8; $4 ages 6-12, free ages 5 and younger. (352) 592-5656.