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What’s happening in Tampa Bay sports: Lightning launch, goat yoga, USF rally

The Bolts kick off the preseason with three days of fun.
Harrison Lipinoga, of Westchase, gets his face painted during the 2018 Tampa Bay Lightning Fan Fest at Amalie Arena in Tampa. [LUIS SANTANA | Tampa Bay Times]
By Peter Couture
Published Sep. 11

LIGHTNING: THREE-DAY LAUNCH

The Tampa Bay Lightning drop the puck on preseason play next week, so what better way to get ready than with three days of fan events? The Lightning Launch includes a free Family Fun Night at 6 p.m. Friday at Sparkman Wharf, with music, contests, bubble hockey tournaments and prizes. A free public skate from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Amalie Arena will be held in five 45-minute sessions and limited to 200 people for each. Fans can claim their time and mobile ticket by visiting nhl.com/lightning. The weekend culminates with the team’s annual free Fan Fest at 11 a.m. Sunday. Fans get their first chance to see and interact with the 2019-20 club through autograph and photo stations. The fest will include a merchandise sale, a kids zone and more. Fans must obtain a mobile ticket by visiting the launch weekend link above. The Bolts take on the Carolina Hurricanes at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Ticket prices vary. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 301-6500. ticketmaster.com.

USF FOOTBALL: CELEBRATE WITH HORNS

The University of South Florida Bulls (0-2) are off to a rough start this season, so show the home team some love when their second Horns Up Rally hits Pinellas County. The rallies, a new effort to connect Bulls football to Tampa Bay area fans, take place before each home game. (This week, the opponent is lesser-division South Carolina State, so maybe we’ll see the Bulls’ first win?) Expect Rocky the Bull, the USF Spirit Squads, the Herd of Thunder Marching Band, DJ music, interactive games, a kids zone, giveaways and more. Free. 5 p.m. Friday. Pier 60, 10 Pier 60 Drive, Clearwater. (813) 974-4086. USF takes on South Carolina State at 6 p.m. Saturday. Ticket prices vary. Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. ticketmaster.com.

BUCS: A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE

Still smarting over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 31-17 opening loss? Take heart. You won’t have to wait a week to see if the team can bounce back as the Tampa Bay travels to Carolina for a prime-time game on Thursday. 8:20 p.m. TV/radio: NFL Network; 97.9-FM. And if you still need a Bucs weekend fix, there is one exhibition that won’t feature a Jameis Winston pick-six. As part of the Smithsonian’s “Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America” traveling exhibit, there will be a Bucs Experience. It will include the Street Team RV, a Madden gaming station, quarterback challenge inflatable, Bucs swag and the chance to win a football autographed by Jason Pierre-Paul. Free. Noon Saturday. Sulphur Springs Museum and Heritage Center, 1101 E River Cove St., Tampa. (813) 935-9402. sulphurspringsmuseum.org.

YOGA: BE THE G.O.A.T.

Want to be part of a possible world record? Bring your yoga mat and join an attempt to set a Guinness record for largest-ever goat-yoga session. It’s an opportunity that can’t be bleat, er, beat. Benefits the Grady Goat Foundation for children facing adversity. $35 tickets have sold out on eventbrite.com but there is a waiting list. 9 a.m. Saturday. 12551 Franklin Road, Thonotosassa. (813) 752-9100.

People practice goat yoga at Thonotosassa's Hat Trick Farm in 2017. [LENORA LAKE | Special to the Times]




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