TAMPA, FL. - December 9, 2008.  Tampa has played host to professional football's big game before.  But this year, football's super event will be followed by a perennial fan favorite that's sure to be exciting  when it kicks off.  And it's always in Tampa, and always in February.

It's the 105th Florida State Fair.  Opening day is Thursday, February 5 and the fun and games run through Monday, February 16, 2009.  And this year, in keeping with the feeding frenzy that a super football game date brings to the Tampa Bay area, the theme of the 2009 Florida State Fair is Touchdown, Tampa Bay.

"Football, unlike any other sport, is arguably an American way of life, especially here in Florida, a state responsible for sending phenomenal talent to playing on Saturday and Sunday.  We thought the theme would be a perfect backdrop for the Fair," said Fair marketing director Vince Caruso. "Plus, I don't know of any annual event with more fun for the whole family for about the cost of a hot dog and a drink at any pro football game," added Caruso.

CLEARWATER, FL  December 12, 2008 - The City of Clearwater is offering $100 honorariums, cash prizes and gift certificates to Tampa Bay area artists who create baseball-themed banner artworks for display on downtown lamp posts The designs will be on display from February to April 2009 and will celebrate the return of Spring Training baseball and Clearwater's 60 year relationship with the Philadelphia Phillies.  

Sunscreen Film Festival - Grab Your Camcorder and Become a Filmmaker

Clearwater FL, December 12, 2008 - The Sunscreen Film Festival Film School has announced a brand new program for new and existing film makers. It will cover the process of making a film from concept to public screening.

"Technology is democratizing film making," said Tony Armer, director of the Festival. "Anyone with an off-the-shelf video camera and a PC editing program can come up with a pretty entertaining film. Just look at YouTube. We want to help people learn and enjoy the collaborative art of making films."

Armer added that the course is available to all. No prior experience is necessar. Additionally, it's geared to use equipment readily available to anyone at reasonable prices.

What Brings $521,300,000 to Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay FL, March 2008 - Tourism…the Port…Phosphate…Citrus…Construction…These are some of the industries that come to mind when we think about the ones that contribute significantly to our local economy. It is time to add a new industry to that list, an industry that brings over $521.3 million annually to our region. Not only does this industry pump a significant amount of money into our local economy, it provides a diversity of benefits to add to the quality of life in Tampa Bay.

This major industry is THE ARTS. The Tampa Bay Business Committee for the Arts, Inc. (“TBBCA”) recently announced the results of a professional study of the economic impact of the arts in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. This is the first measure of arts impact on the two counties since the original joint study conducted in 1999. The report was sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and conducted by the PwC Sports, Convention and Leisure Practice.

BB's Dance Factory  Presents "The Snow Princess” Holiday Celebration!

Largo FL October 2007 - What could be better than an enchanting evening of Dance, Cirque & Merriment for the whole family this Holiday Season?

"The Snow Princess” is such an affair This is an original tale of the lovely Snow Princess and her Penguins, Cirque-style creatures, Snowflakes that fly, and many other unique characters that intertwine for a most frolicsome and entertaining event.

GASPARILLA EXTRAVAGANZA TO BEGIN A SUPER WEEK OF CELEBRATIONS WITH FAMILY FUN, FLOATS, FLYING BEADS, PLANES AND PYROTECHNICS  

 TAMPA, FL   December 8, 2008 – The Gasparilla Extravaganza will once again commence Tampa’s historical Gasparilla season with an alcohol-free, family celebration scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2009 on Bayshore Boulevard, and will kick off a week-long series of celebrations leading up to Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa.  The Gasparilla Extravaganza features the Gasparilla Preschooler’s Stroll, the Gasparilla Air Invasion, the Children’s Gasparilla Parade and the “Piratechnic” Extravaganza, Tampa Bay’s largest firework presentation; show center is located at Howard Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard.

Dinosaur World celebrates 10 years

1/2 price admission for all Florida residents

For ten years now, anyone traveling on I-4 between Tampa and Orlando has marveled at the giant orange T-Rex at the Plant City exit. That T-Rex marks the home of Dinosaur World, an outdoor dinosaur museum with over 150 life size dinosaurs. It is now time to have a 10 year birthday party for the orange T-Rex.

Dinosaur World opened on Thanksgiving 10 years ago. To celebrate this anniversary, and to thank area residents for continued support, Dinosaur World is offering half price admission the first 2 weeks of December. Any Florida resident that shows their ID, from Monday, December 1st through Sunday, December 14th will receive 50% admission. This is $6.37 for adults and $4.87 for children.

The Eight Little Nutcrackers

Join us for special staged editions of "Entertainment and the Arts" and the New Radio Dramedy, "The Eight Little Nutcrackers," Written by John and Susan DiSanza and Brenda Martin.

Live from Francis Wilson Playhouse, 302 Seminole Street, Clearwater, FL 33755 - Sunday December 14 and 21, 2008 at 7:00pm.

Sponsored by Stage Door 13, Entertainment And The Arts, WTAN Radio and Francis Wilson Playhouse.

Free Admission, but reservations are required. Please call 727 446-1360