Tampa Mom » Family http://www.tampamom.com things to think about and do Thu, 29 Sep 2011 06:03:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 2011 Oktoberfest in Tampa Bay http://www.tampamom.com/2011/09/23/2011-oktoberfest-in-tampa-bay/ http://www.tampamom.com/2011/09/23/2011-oktoberfest-in-tampa-bay/#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:11:02 +0000 Ann http://www.tampamom.com/?p=388 Gulf Coast Enzianer Schuhplattler Verein

Celebrate Oktoberfest all month long in Tampa! Each weekend, checkout a different festival, and if you are longing for a mid-week bit of Bavaria, have lunch at the Schnitzelhaus! All of these events have family-friendly components to them, so bring the kids! The highlight of the month will be the big Oktoberfest in Oldsmar at Tampa Bay Downs during the last weekend. Attendance was 25,000+ last year.

If you have other events to add, please leave a comment and link at the end of this post! Enjoy!

  • Tampa Bay’s Best O’Fest, Most Authentic Bavarian Festival, in its 60th year!
    • Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Oct. 7-8, Oct. 14-15, doors open at 4pm
    • Lots of dancing, music, great food, and BEER!
    • Visit their website for complete information and a coupon for $2 off admission! Admission $6, kids 12 & under are free!
  • Schnitzelhaus German Restaurant
    • Their website declares this to be their LAST Oktoberfest!
    • Live Music with Inga
      Fri and Sat 5pm – 9pm and Sun 4pm – 8pm
    • Fri and Sat Special, Four Course Dinner
      $21.95 – $25.50, reservations required
    • Open Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-9pm and Sunday, noon-8pm
    • Closed Monday and Tuesday
  • Dunedin Brewery OktoBEERfest 2011
    • October 6-8, starts at 4pm daily
    • On Thursday, October 6th, we will only fill Literstein mugs. Bring yours or purchase this year’s edition for $30*. (*Note: There is no cover-charge for this event, however no pints of beer will be sold. You must have a Literstein in order to have a beer for just this one night.)
    • First Friday Street Party, street opens at 5pm, music by The Fritz from 7-11pm under the tent, Bird Street Players from 11pm-1am inside
    • Saturday Street Gathering, music by Tribal Style from 7-11pm under the tent, Funky Seeds from 11pm-1am inside
  • Oktoberfest Tampa
    • This year we bring you the extremely limited Konig Ludwig Oktoberfest Spezial. We’ll be celebrating with German cheer, dancing and singing to cooler weather and colder beer along the Hillsborough river downtown at the heights this Oktober 14th, 15th, and 16th. Oktoberfest Tampa 2011 is a time to unwind and make new friends. Learn new customs and sing a few songs. Help us tap the inaugural keg Friday, Oktober 14th, as we open the doors to Tampa’s largest Oktoberfest. Acres of courtesy parking.
    • Friday, October 13, 3pm-midnight
    • Saturday, October 14, 11am-midnight
    • Sunday, October 15, 11am-9pm
    • Pre-sale ends Oct. 13th. Admission is $8/day, $15/weekend pass. Das Boot admission is $30/day, or $45/weekend pass.
    • Crazy games
    • VIP Access – it’s worth it! Starts at $75/person. Best feature? VIP parking, tables, servers, and bathrooms!!!
  • Oktoberfest on the Beach - 10th Annual Celebration Activity Schedule
    • October 15, 11am-7pm, Kinderfest 11am-2:30pm
    • Held at Kolb Park, Indian Rocks Beach
    • Live music, German Band “Lorelei” performs at 1pm until 7pm
    • Adult activities include: Food Court, Beer Wagon, Vendors, Art Exhibit, Antique Show, Boat Show, Silent Auction
    • Championship Competitions include: Stein-carrying, Wife-carrying, Keg-throwing, and Polka-dancing!
    • “Kinderfest” (11am-2:30pm) activities include: Dodgeball, Children’s Dunk Tank, Shuttle Race, Capture the Flag, Spider Web, Red Light—Green Light, Hula Hoop Contest, Water Balloon Contest, Jelly Bean Relay, Inflatable Experiences, Tattoo Booth, Balloon Artist & Magician, Kiddie Olympics, Children’s Arts & Crafts Booth
  • Top O’ the Bay Oktoberfest, Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar
    • October 28-30
    • Traditionally held the last weekend of October, Oktoberfest brings the best of Old Bavaria and New Florida together for three full days of authentic German food, drink, music and dancing… along with a spectacular carnival & Midway, a great arts & crafts show, and the wildest array of audience participation contests that the Tampa Bay area has ever seen!
    • Oldsmar’s version of the 200+ year-old German tradition is both the largest and longest-running  Oktoberfest in West Central Florida, attracting over 25,000 attendees.


]]> http://www.tampamom.com/2011/09/23/2011-oktoberfest-in-tampa-bay/feed/ 0 Mickey’s Magic Show coming to Tampa! http://www.tampamom.com/2011/02/02/mickeys-magic-show-coming-to-tampa/ http://www.tampamom.com/2011/02/02/mickeys-magic-show-coming-to-tampa/#comments Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:10:26 +0000 Ann http://www.tampamom.com/?p=364

Abracadabra! It’s Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Magic Show! Mickey, Minnie and a host of Disney friends come together with world-class magicians to perform magic from legendary Disney films right before your eyes. See the Fairy Godmother transform Cinderella’s rags into a beautiful ball gown in a split second; the spectacular levitation of Aladdin’s Princess Jasmine; and the enchanted dancing brooms of Fantasia. Join Donald and Goofy, Alice and the Mad Hatter, and many more for a one-of-a-kind stage show you’ll never forget. Playing the Lakeland Center March 2-3, the Mahaffey Theatre March 4 and the St. Pete Times Forum March 6. Tickets start at $15. Complete details are at DisneyLive.com.

To get $3 off your tickets, use promo code “MAGIC” at ticketmaster.com or at the Arena Box Offices (good for all performances, no minimum purchase required, excludes front row and VIP seats).http://www.disney.go.com/disneylive/mickeysmagicshow/

Want to win free tickets? Enter our contest!

]]> http://www.tampamom.com/2011/02/02/mickeys-magic-show-coming-to-tampa/feed/ 0 Happy Halloween! http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/31/happy-halloween/ http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/31/happy-halloween/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:39:25 +0000 Ann http://www.tampamom.com/?p=330 Have a fun and safe Halloween tonight! Here are a few safety guidelines:

  • Trick-or-Treaters should be accompanied by a parent or guardian
  • Only visit houses that are obviously inviting Trick-or-Treaters with the lights on
  • Do not eat candy during your outing, wait until parents go through it for safety
  • Food allergic people should exercise additional caution with their treats
  • Wear comfortable shoes
  • Use reflective tape on shoes, costume, and/or trick-or-treat bag
  • Carry a flashlight that works
  • Stay in areas that you know, like your own neighborhood
Halloween Safety Tips from America’s Most Wanted

1. Be sure older children TAKE FRIENDS and younger children are accompanied by a TRUSTED ADULT when “Trick or Treating.”

2. Accompany younger children to the door of every home they approach and make sure parents and guardians are familiar with every home and all people from which the children receive treats.

3. Teach children to NEVER enter a home without prior permission from their parents or guardians.

4. Teach children to NEVER approach a vehicle, occupied or not, unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

5. Make sure all children wear reflective clothing and carry a glow stick when out at dusk and at night.

6. Make sure children are able to see and breathe properly and easily when using facial masks. All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant.

7. Teach children to NEVER approach a home that is not well lit both inside and outside.

8. Teach children to stay alert for any suspicious incidents and report them to their parents, guardians and/or the proper authority.

9. Teach children if anyone tries to grab them to make a scene; loudly yell this person is not my father/mother/guardian; and make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming and resisting.

10. Consider organizing or attending parties at home, in schools or in community centers as a good alternative to “Trick or Treating.”

For more information about child-safety topics, please visit
the America’s Most Wanted website or contact us at
1-800-THE-LOST® (1-800-843-5678) or www.missingkids.com

]]> http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/31/happy-halloween/feed/ 0 October Fun http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/25/october-fun/ http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/25/october-fun/#comments Sat, 25 Oct 2008 06:03:51 +0000 Ann http://www.tampamom.com/?p=325 Tomorrow, we will be out at the Top O’ the Bay Oktoberfest at Tampa Bay Downs. Friends of ours are in a traditional shoe-slapping dance group and we are looking forward to celebrating with them. If you haven’t gotten out to an Oktoberfest this year, check out Oldsmar this weekend. If you’re still not feeling like you’ve done enough, check out the Schnitzelhaus for lunch this week. Have a brat, some strudel, and a Spaten.

Friday is Halloween. This is one of the biggest times of the year for food allergy problems. Please distribute candy without nuts of any kind. There’s plenty of straight sugary things out there! Many food allergy families completely avoid Halloween activities simply due to the amount of dangerous candies floating around. We are looking forward to Halloween, though trick-or-treating will not be a part of it.

This year, I’ve noticed a few Halloween alternatives popping up at places like the shopping malls, Publix grocery stores, and churches. I encourage you to give these a try. They are safe environments and more controlled situations rather than the randomness of individual houses in a neighborhood can be.

Get out and enjoy the cooler weather!

]]> http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/25/october-fun/feed/ 0 Post Game 1 Update http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/23/post-game-1-update/ http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/23/post-game-1-update/#comments Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:35:24 +0000 Ann http://www.tampamom.com/?p=320 The Rays’ Bartlett stole a base, so we’re on for free tacos next Tuesday! Unfortunately, no free donuts today. Lets get it done tonight, Rays!

]]> http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/23/post-game-1-update/feed/ 0 TECO Line Streetcar Fest http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/08/teco-line-streetcar-fest/ http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/08/teco-line-streetcar-fest/#comments Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:36:46 +0000 Ann http://www.tampamom.com/?p=301

Celebrate the 6th annual TECO Line Streetcar Fest with 5-cent streetcar rides all day, October 11, 9am-midnight! Ride historic and open-air streetcars, streetcar car barn tours, free kids’ activities outside The Florida Aquarium, $7 Yacht Starship bay tours & Ybor City Saturday Market.

Visit TECO Line Streetcar for more information.

]]> http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/08/teco-line-streetcar-fest/feed/ 0 Halloween Family Fun http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/07/halloween-family-fun-tampa/ http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/07/halloween-family-fun-tampa/#comments Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:41:59 +0000 Ann http://www.tampamom.com/?p=289

Lowry Park’s ZooBoo is open on Thursdays-Sundays through Nov. 1. Admission is $17/Adults (ages 12+), $14/Kids (ages 3-11). ZooPass holders pay $12/$10. Open 7-10pm on Thursdays and Sundays, 7-11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Important information: For the safety of guests, adults (ages 12 and older) are not permitted to wear masks, wigs, face paint or costumes of any kind. Little boys and “ghouls” (ages 11 and under) are invited to come in their most spooktacular attire. Toy weapons of any sort will not be allowed into the Zoo.

Guavaween Family FunFest will be held Saturday, October 25, 2008 (10am-3pm) in historic Ybor City. This is a totally free event with a daytime crowd estimated at around 20,000. Safe trick-or-treating, costume contest and parade, and pumpkin contests are among the fabulous family activities.

The Florida Aquarium is holding Guppyween 2008, a safe, fun, and supervised children’s trick or treating on Sunday, October 26 from 4 to 9 p.m. Bring your ghosts and goblins in costume for a deliciously fun time! Candy stations will be set up throughout the facility with plenty of kids’ activities in between. Kids in costume are free, while adults (12 and over) pay $12. It’s a safe, fun party with spooky creatures and loads of tasty treats.  * Limit four children per adult. Aquarium members get in free to this event.

MOSI presents their 3rd annual Hall-O-Boo! Family Halloween Event on October 24 & 25, 5-9pm. Admission for members is only $8, and non-members is $10. Activities include hayrides, monster mash ball, mad scientist demonstrations, and much more!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom is a fun Disney event especially geared to the under-10 crowd. Tickets vary in price depending on the date. Expect to spend up to $56 for an adult ticket. October 31st is sold out. Event takes place 7pm-midnight, though October 31st.

If you know of another family friendly Halloween event, please post your info in a comment! Thanks! Happy Halloween!

]]> http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/07/halloween-family-fun-tampa/feed/ 0 Support the Tampa Bay Rays! http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/02/support-the-tampa-bay-rays/ http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/02/support-the-tampa-bay-rays/#comments Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:04:39 +0000 Ann http://www.tampamom.com/?p=279 It’s baseball fever in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area! The Rays have made it to the playoffs. Amazing!

Today is the first of these post-season games, and maybe you are at work or running errands and you want to listen to the game. I’ve just discovered that I can listen to the game for free on my computer and smartphone. Check Streaming Sports for all of the details!

The little ball player in your family will want a Tampa Bay Rays Toddler-Youth Jr Neo Flex Fit Hat. You could also get a Tampa Bay Devil Rays MLB Car Magnet to show your support. Go Rays!

Evan Longoria #3 Rays Youth Home Jersey
Scott Kazmir #26 Tampa Bay Rays Home Youth Jersey
Tampa Bay Rays 2008 Home White Women’s MLB Replica Jersey
Tampa Bay Devil Rays Stack T-Shirt by Majestic (this is a steal for $5.95!)

]]> http://www.tampamom.com/2008/10/02/support-the-tampa-bay-rays/feed/ 0 Oktoberfest in Tampa http://www.tampamom.com/2008/09/29/oktoberfest-in-tampa/ http://www.tampamom.com/2008/09/29/oktoberfest-in-tampa/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:45:40 +0000 Ann http://www.tampamom.com/?p=263 Gulf Coast Enzianer Schuhplattler Verein

Celebrate Oktoberfest all month long in Tampa! Each weekend, checkout a different festival, and if you are longing for a mid-week bit of Bavaria, have lunch at the Schnitzelhaus! All of these events have family-friendly components to them, so bring the kids! The highlight of the month will be the big Oktoberfest in Oldsmar at Tampa Bay Downs during the last weekend. Attendance was 20,000+ last year.

If you have other events to add, please leave a comment and link at the end of this post! Enjoy!

  • Schnitzelhaus German Restaurant
    • Oktoberfest will be from Sept 19th to Nov 1st
    • Live Music with Inga
      Fri and Sat 5pm – 9pm and Sun 4pm – 8pm
    • Fri and Sat Special, Four Course Dinner
      $21.95 – $25.50, reservations required
    • Open Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-9pm and Sunday, noon-8pm
    • Closed Monday and Tuesday
  • Dunedin Brewery OktoBEERfest 2008
    • October 2nd-4th, starts at 4pm daily
  • The St. Petersburg Clay Company OktoberBest & Brew HaHa II
    • October 11, noon-7pm
    • The event will include food, beverages, music, kids activities, and best of all work from our talented artists!
  • World of Beer (Westchase) WOBtoberfest 2008, 2nd Annual Beer and Music
    • October 17th, 3pm till, October 18th, noon till
    • Live music featuring Chris Nathan
    • German and American Food
    • Authentic Oktoberfest Liter Mugs
    • Family Friendly
    • $5 admission (free for 12 and under)
    • All ages welcome, 21+ to drink
  • Oktoberfest on the Beach – 7th Annual Celebration Activity Schedule
    • October 18, 11am-7pm, Kinderfest 11am-3pm
    • Held at Kolb Park, Indian Rocks Beach
    • Live music, German Band “Lorelei” performs at 1pm until 7pm
    • Adult activities include: Food Court, Beer Wagon, Vendors, Art Exhibit, Antique Show, Boat Show, Silent Auction
    • Championship Competitions include: Stein-carrying, Wife-carrying, Keg-throwing, and Polka-dancing!
    • “Kinderfest” (11am-3pm) activities include: Dodgeball, Children’s Dunk Tank, Shuttle Race, Capture the Flag, Spider Web, Red Light—Green Light, Hula Hoop Contest, Water Balloon Contest, Jelly Bean Relay, Inflatable Experiences, Tattoo Booth, Balloon Artist & Magician, Kiddie Olympics, Children’s Arts & Crafts Booth
  • Top O’ the Bay Oktoberfest, Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar
    • October 24, 25, 26 – Friday 5pm to 11pm / Saturday 11am to 11pm / Sunday 12pm to 7 pm
    • Schedule of events (pdf)
    • Traditionally held the last weekend of October, Oktoberfest brings the best of Old Bavaria and New Florida together for three full days of authentic German food, drink, music and dancing… along with a spectacular carnival & Midway, a great arts & crafts show, and the wildest array of audience participation contests that the Tampa Bay area has ever seen!
    • New this year… VolksMarch (5 & 10K Family Fun Walks) and Kinder Zone!
    • Oldsmar’s version of the 198 year-old German tradition is both the largest and longest-running  Oktoberfest in West Central Florida, attracting between 20,000 and 25,000 attendees.
]]> http://www.tampamom.com/2008/09/29/oktoberfest-in-tampa/feed/ 4 Swaptember is almost over! http://www.tampamom.com/2008/09/27/swaptember-is-almost-over/ http://www.tampamom.com/2008/09/27/swaptember-is-almost-over/#comments Sat, 27 Sep 2008 06:40:22 +0000 Ann http://www.tampamom.com/?p=258 You have a few days left to take advantage of Swaptember! If you have an annual pass to Lowry Park Zoo, MOSI, or the Florida Aquarium, that pass can get you in to all three for the month of September! So, this weekend, get out and visit the Zoo, MOSI, or Aquarium. The weather’s going to be great!

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