February Recurring Events
Gulfport's Get Rescued, Gulfport
Continuing into its 16th year, this event is one of the largest animal rescue events in the state. All profits benefit participating non-profit rescue groups. From 10 am to 6 pm Gulfport’s historic waterfront district is overtaken by these organizations to raise awareness and find homes for pets.
Learn about pet health, see training demos, find a new friend and participate in the pet parade with your beloved companion. The event is free and parking is available in the area.
The 2020 event is on Saturday, February 22nd in the Historic Gulfport Waterfront District.
The event’s website is here.
St Pete Beach Seafood & Music Festival
Fresh and local ingredients means the St Pete Beach Seafood & Music Festival should be on your list
2019 marks the second year for this new event. Held on Corey Avenue in St Pete Beach Feb 1-3, 2019.
Expect a laid-back vibe with live music, shopping marketplace and tasty foods. This food won’t be your normal craft-fair food. Instead it will be food cooked onsite using fresh ingredients and seafood dishes from Florida coastal waters.
Hours, directions, parking information and a list and schedule of musical performers can be found on the event’s website.
2Cool Art Show – Gulfport
February 1-2, 2020 at the Gulfport Casino at 5500 Shore Blvd. The 2Cool Art Show is hosted by the Professional Association of Visual Artists.
Thirty-five juried artists will participate in 2019, showing and selling a variety of hand crafted visual and functional works in paint, wood, ceramics, photography, metal, glass, mixed media and jewelry. Admission and parking are free!
There’s a sister event to this show in July, for summer visitors – the Cool Art Show.
Check out the 2nd annual Peace. Love and Pride festival
Gulfport Peace, Love & Pride Festival – 2020
2019 was the inaugural year for this event celebrating Gulfport’s commitment to diversity. 2020’s event will take place on February 16, 2020 from noon to 5 pm in and around the Gulfport Casino.
You can read more about the inspiration for this new event here.
Gulfport has two juried art festivals during the month of February!
4th Annual Gulfport Fine Arts Festival
Formerly know as the Gulfport Masters, this festival takes place in Veteran’s Park at 5350 31st Ave S in Gulfport.
The event takes place February 8-9 in 2020 from 10 am to 5 pm both days. It is also a juried event. If you don’t know what a juried event is, it means that artists have to apply and their works are determined to be found worthy of entry by a panel of judges. The process of reviewing the submissions is intended to raise the quality of the show and help the event stand out from the sometimes busy field of art and craft shows.
Visit the events Facebook page for a short video about this year’s event and a preview of a few artists participating this year.
Florida Strawberry Festival
Did you know about Florida’s love affair with the strawberry? No, not the orange. (Or any citrus, really.) The strawberry! The first time I visited the Florida Strawberry Festival I thought it might be somewhat unique. It’s not. There are strawberry festivals all over the United States and even some in Canada, Australia, Italy and Japan. You can find a website with links to worldwide strawberry festivals here.
But we’re talking about the Florida Strawberry Festival, held in (where else?) Plant City, Florida in late February and early March. 11 days in all.
The website is https://flstrawberryfestival.com. You van find out about rides & attractions, musical talent and visit the livestock show. Visit the website and signup for updates via email including 2020 dates!.
Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival
I don’t know about you, but for me blues festivals always seem to come with hot & steamy weather. In Summer.
Summer can be a four-letter word in the South. So how about a blues festival in February, and in Florida. Seems hard to pass up. 2020’s event takes place Feb 21-23.
I suggest liking them on Facebook to get updates on the festival.
Cupid’s Undie Run 5K
A bunch of strangers in their underwear.
Running. What could be better than that? I’m sure everyone will look like a model. Not. But hey at least you’re not doing the run in Minnesota. Or Philadelphia. Or Chicago.
But in all seriousness, the proceeds go towards the search for a cure for neurofibromatosis, a genetic tumor disorder that affects 1 in every 3,000 births. They run in their undies because those affected with NF can’t cover up their tumors to feel more comfortable, so why should we?
The 2020 St Pete run is Feb 8. Find out more here.
Yum!
St Pete French Fry Festival
So what’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say St Petersburg?
French fries?
I didn’t think so.
Still, there must be something to it, because this festival goes for 2 days. This isn’t Fred and a few buddies getting together to celebrate pomme frites. I think of chocolate for Valentines Day. The Gulf to Bay Food Truck Association thought potatoes were more fitting. Go figure.
Straub Park, downtown St Pete. Find info on their Facebook page here. And send some pictures, will ya? Feb 14 and 15, 2020
St Petersburg Super Greek Festival
Lots of towns have Greek festivals, but St Pete has a Super Greek festival. I’ll be there, doing my super greek version of Rick James’ “Super Freak”.
While just sampling a wide assortment of Greek food should be enough incentive by itself, at the Super Greek festival you can also shop, watch traditional Greek dance performances and send the kids on some amusement rides.
The 2020 dates are Feb 21- Feb 23 at St Stefanos Greek Church, located at 3600 76th St N in St Petersburg. Check out the facebook page here.
Florida Food & Brews Festival
Feb 1, 2020 England Brothers Park, 5010 81st Ave N, Pinellas Park. (Rain date Feb 8)
Enjoy fantastic food. Sample some of the areas best craft brewers. Support local rescues. Be entertained. What more could you want? Find them on Facebook
St Petersburg Fine Art Festival
The 7th Annual St Petersburg Fine Art Festival showcases original artwork by more than 100 artisans from throughout Florida and across the United States. It really is a don’t miss event, and given that the event spans 2 days you really have no excuse not to go. Dates in 2020 are February 22-23. Location South Straub Park, St Petersburg.
Night Market St Pete
For night owls, vampires or just those who are otherwise not afraid of the dark, there is the Night Market. It’s located in the St Pete Warehouse District next to 3 Daughters Brewing and its held sort of whenever they feel like it. The next one is February 27th, 2020. And about 2 weeks after that, so mid-March, they’ll let you know when the next one will be. So I suggest following them on Facebook or something so you can stay in the know.
