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A guide to fun things to do in Tampa Bay this weekend.

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Your guide to St. Pete's Grand Prix weekend: Schedule, parking and road closures

The annual motorsports race will draw thousands to the St. Petersburg waterfront.

Things to Do

Vroom vroom — it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grand Prix" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/03/07/what-to-know-2024-grand-prix-of-st-petersburg" data-vars-content-id="f95dcef8-2a4b-4729-a8a7-c759a381c75f" data-vars-headline="Your guide to St. Pete&#x27;s Grand Prix weekend: Schedule, parking and road closures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/03/07/what-to-know-2024-grand-prix-of-st-petersburg" target="_self">Grand Prix</a> weekend.Why it matters: The annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will draw thousands to the St. Petersburg waterfront, where several roads will be closed to support the course.

Your guide to the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival

This nearly century-old festival is the most-attended fair in the state.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Florida Strawberry Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/21/guide-florida-strawberry-festival-2025" data-vars-content-id="6bc85d1b-2213-4d60-8286-9cce7dd70a99" data-vars-headline="Your guide to the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/21/guide-florida-strawberry-festival-2025" target="_self">Florida Strawberry Festival</a> kicks off its 11-day run Thursday in Plant City, the &quot;Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.&quot;The big picture: The nearly century-old <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="festival" data-vars-click-url="https://flstrawberryfestival.com/" data-vars-content-id="6bc85d1b-2213-4d60-8286-9cce7dd70a99" data-vars-headline="Your guide to the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://flstrawberryfestival.com/" target="_blank">festival</a> is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most-attended fair" data-vars-click-url="https://carnivalwarehouse.com/images/site/pageserver/file/top50/2025list.pdf" data-vars-content-id="6bc85d1b-2213-4d60-8286-9cce7dd70a99" data-vars-headline="Your guide to the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://carnivalwarehouse.com/images/site/pageserver/file/top50/2025list.pdf" target="_blank">most-attended fair</a> in the state and ranks among the top 50 in the nation, drawing more than 650,000 visitors last year.

Report: Tampa Bay ranks 50th for safe streets

Safe roads matter even more in a region with especially bad public transportation.

Tampa Bay&#x27;s roadways rank 50th among the country&#x27;s largest metros in safety, according to StreetLight Data&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;U.S. Safe Streets Index.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/us-safe-streets-index-ebook" data-vars-content-id="0bdb25ff-77ae-4a79-b79d-41ee6f8fb4dd" data-vars-headline="Report: Tampa Bay ranks 50th for safe streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/us-safe-streets-index-ebook" target="_blank">&quot;U.S. Safe Streets Index.&quot;</a>Why it matters: Safe roads matter even more in a region with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="especially" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wfla.com/news/local-news/tampa-bay-ranked-the-8th-worst-metro-area-for-public-transportation/" data-vars-content-id="0bdb25ff-77ae-4a79-b79d-41ee6f8fb4dd" data-vars-headline="Report: Tampa Bay ranks 50th for safe streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wfla.com/news/local-news/tampa-bay-ranked-the-8th-worst-metro-area-for-public-transportation/" target="_blank">especially</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bad" data-vars-click-url="https://projects.tampabay.com/projects/2017/data/public-transportation-worst/" data-vars-content-id="0bdb25ff-77ae-4a79-b79d-41ee6f8fb4dd" data-vars-headline="Report: Tampa Bay ranks 50th for safe streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://projects.tampabay.com/projects/2017/data/public-transportation-worst/" target="_blank">bad</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public transportation" data-vars-click-url="https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/transportation/2023-01-20/its-the-end-of-the-road-for-the-tampa-bay-regional-transit-authority" data-vars-content-id="0bdb25ff-77ae-4a79-b79d-41ee6f8fb4dd" data-vars-headline="Report: Tampa Bay ranks 50th for safe streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/transportation/2023-01-20/its-the-end-of-the-road-for-the-tampa-bay-regional-transit-authority" target="_blank">public transportation</a>, where driving or walking is often the only option.

Citizens drops 150K policies in Tampa Bay as private insurers step in

Citizens is no longer the state's largest insurer.

Citizens Property Insurance Corp. shed about 150,000 policies in Tampa Bay last year, according to data released last month. Why it matters: It is no longer the state&#x27;s largest insurer, with a market share of less than 10%, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Florida Office of Insurance Regulation" data-vars-click-url="https://floir.gov/docs-sf/default-source/property-and-casualty/stability-unit-reports/january-2026-isu-report-final.pdf" data-vars-content-id="f65e78d7-f111-4e78-afb1-fa4178050bca" data-vars-headline="Citizens drops 150K policies in Tampa Bay as private insurers step in" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://floir.gov/docs-sf/default-source/property-and-casualty/stability-unit-reports/january-2026-isu-report-final.pdf" target="_blank">Florida Office of Insurance Regulation</a>.

What Florida's property tax overhaul could cost local governments

The state House has added three property tax amendments to its calendar for floor votes.

Tampa Bay governments stand to lose hundreds of millions in tax collections if property tax changes advancing in the Legislature become law, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/bill-summary-hjr-201-203-205-207-209-211-and-213?mc_cid=c9718583ff&amp;mc_eid=81b69123db" data-vars-content-id="575fd09a-059e-4ac7-ae22-d5afea179106" data-vars-headline="What Florida&#x27;s property tax overhaul could cost local governments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/bill-summary-hjr-201-203-205-207-209-211-and-213?mc_cid=c9718583ff&amp;mc_eid=81b69123db" target="_blank">report</a> by the Florida Policy Institute (FPI).Why it matters: The House has added <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three of those amendments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/11/where-property-tax-cuts-other-bills-stand-in-the-florida-legislature" data-vars-content-id="575fd09a-059e-4ac7-ae22-d5afea179106" data-vars-headline="What Florida&#x27;s property tax overhaul could cost local governments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/11/where-property-tax-cuts-other-bills-stand-in-the-florida-legislature" target="_self">three of those amendments</a> to its calendar for floor votes, with HJR 203 up first, on Thursday.

Where House, Senate budgets differ on Tampa Bay priorities

Tens of millions of dollars in Tampa Bay projects are caught between the two chambers.

Florida&#x27;s House and Senate unveiled competing budget proposals last week that put dozens of local projects up for negotiation.Why it matters: Tens of millions of dollars in Tampa Bay projects are caught between the two chambers — including a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$50 million campus overhaul" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/22/hillsborough-college-asks-state-50-million-clear-way-rays-stadium" data-vars-content-id="998ebc76-cc5a-4409-ac9d-8b3707012572" data-vars-headline="Where House, Senate budgets differ on Tampa Bay priorities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/22/hillsborough-college-asks-state-50-million-clear-way-rays-stadium" target="_self">$50 million campus overhaul</a> at Hillsborough College that would make room for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Rays stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="998ebc76-cc5a-4409-ac9d-8b3707012572" data-vars-headline="Where House, Senate budgets differ on Tampa Bay priorities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" target="_self">new Rays stadium</a>.

How the Florida House wants to cut property taxes

Four proposals to slash property taxes in Florida are nearing the floor of the state House.

Money

Four proposed constitutional amendments to slash property taxes in Florida are nearing the floor of the state House.Why it matters: The proposals intend to exempt homestead properties, a homeowner&#x27;s principal residence, from some or all property taxes — leaving in place only those levied by school districts.

Inside Tampa's proposed $1.9-billion budget

The budget lays bare the city's priorities, dollar by dollar.

The City of Tampa will hold its first public hearing Wednesday for the proposed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 operating budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampa.gov/budget/info/fy2026-budget" data-vars-content-id="4d0c6833-c29d-427d-bbfc-343825da1378" data-vars-headline="Inside Tampa&#x27;s proposed $1.9-billion budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampa.gov/budget/info/fy2026-budget" target="_blank">2026 operating budget</a>, which comes in at a whopping $1.9 billion.Why it matters: The budget lays bare the city&#x27;s priorities, dollar by dollar — with millions set aside for storm preparation and flood mitigation to address pain points from hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Tampa Bay residents to see $4K tax cut in 2026

See what your county's average tax break is, thanks to the "big, beautiful bill."

The average Tampa Bay resident will see a federal tax cut of nearly $4,000 in 2026 thanks to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;big, beautiful bill,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/trump-signs-big-beautiful-bill-tax-spending-budget" data-vars-content-id="75e77744-6c90-4665-bc95-2a0955c9c3e1" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay residents to see $4K tax cut in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/trump-signs-big-beautiful-bill-tax-spending-budget" target="_self">&quot;big, beautiful bill,&quot;</a> according to an analysis from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tax Foundation" data-vars-click-url="https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/federal/obbba-average-tax-cuts-impact-map/" data-vars-content-id="75e77744-6c90-4665-bc95-2a0955c9c3e1" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay residents to see $4K tax cut in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/federal/obbba-average-tax-cuts-impact-map/" target="_blank">Tax Foundation</a>, a nonpartisan research group that mostly supports lower taxes.Why it matters: That&#x27;s money people can spend on rent, groceries or bills, which may be needed next year as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inflation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bankrate.com/banking/federal-reserve/wage-to-inflation-index/#hotter" data-vars-content-id="75e77744-6c90-4665-bc95-2a0955c9c3e1" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay residents to see $4K tax cut in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bankrate.com/banking/federal-reserve/wage-to-inflation-index/#hotter" target="_blank">inflation</a> outpaces wages, and tariffs threaten to increase costs even further.

What tariffs mean for back-to-school shopping in Florida

Back-to-school is the second-biggest retail event of the year, after the holidays.

Parents are heading into the 2025 back-to-school season facing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/10/trump-tariffs-shoes" data-vars-content-id="75606e68-20f4-48ee-8870-862584a1aa65" data-vars-headline="What tariffs mean for back-to-school shopping in Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/10/trump-tariffs-shoes" target="_self">rising prices</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="looming tariffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/economy/tariffs" data-vars-content-id="75606e68-20f4-48ee-8870-862584a1aa65" data-vars-headline="What tariffs mean for back-to-school shopping in Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/economy/tariffs" target="_self">looming tariffs</a> — forcing them to shop smarter and earlier.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Back-to-school" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/02/back-to-school-2024-cellphone-bans" data-vars-content-id="75606e68-20f4-48ee-8870-862584a1aa65" data-vars-headline="What tariffs mean for back-to-school shopping in Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/02/back-to-school-2024-cellphone-bans" target="_self">Back-to-school</a> is the second-biggest retail event of the year, after the holidays.

How Trump's "big, beautiful bill" could affect Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay's working-class and older residents are expected to be the hardest hit.

The impact of Trump&#x27;s signature tax and spending legislation, the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="big, beautiful bill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/02/big-beautiful-bill-gambling-food-stamps" data-vars-content-id="2c96ebf6-a024-4856-ac35-bb3d1813a02a" data-vars-headline="How Trump&#x27;s &quot;big, beautiful bill&quot; could affect Tampa Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/02/big-beautiful-bill-gambling-food-stamps" target="_self">big, beautiful bill</a>,&quot; will depend on where you sit in the economy, says University of South Florida economics professor Michael Snipes.Why it matters: Tampa Bay&#x27;s working-class and older residents are expected to be the hardest hit.

What Florida GOP's budget truce means for Tampa Bay projects

Republicans in the Florida Legislature agreed on and passed a $115.1 billion state budget.

Republicans in the Florida Legislature passed a $115.1 billion state budget and $1.3 billion tax relief plan earlier this month.Why it matters: GOP lawmakers blew past the 60-day deadline, dragging out the process with threats, insults and 45 days of overtime. Now, it&#x27;s up to Gov. Ron DeSantis to decide whether to sign it.

Nearly half of Pinellas, Hillsborough households can't afford basic expenses

A county commissioner called the findings "very sobering."

A family of four in Pinellas County had to make at least $89,000 in 2023 to cover basic expenses such as housing, food and health care.<ul><li>In Hillsborough, it was at least $84,000, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://mailstat.us/tr/t2/7eb7217/5jbdh69psvzvj4/3/http://www.unitedforalice.org/Florida" data-vars-content-id="c0065c14-2d80-4643-8dab-98ad297a4f8a" data-vars-headline="Nearly half of Pinellas, Hillsborough households can&#x27;t afford basic expenses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mailstat.us/tr/t2/7eb7217/5jbdh69psvzvj4/3/http://www.unitedforalice.org/Florida" target="_blank">new report</a> from United Way.</li></ul>

Tampa Bay-area projects' funding at stake in Tallahassee budget fight

GOP infighting has stalled progress on lawmakers' sole constitutional obligation: the state budget.

Florida&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legislative session" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/05/06/florida-legislative-session-dead-bills" data-vars-content-id="29179ec4-afc0-4d45-97f0-73948c10caec" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay-area projects&#x27; funding at stake in Tallahassee budget fight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/05/06/florida-legislative-session-dead-bills" target="_self">legislative session</a> is in overtime as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="GOP infighting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/30/how-gop-infighting-is-defining-floridas-legislative-session" data-vars-content-id="29179ec4-afc0-4d45-97f0-73948c10caec" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay-area projects&#x27; funding at stake in Tallahassee budget fight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/30/how-gop-infighting-is-defining-floridas-legislative-session" target="_self">GOP infighting</a> has stalled progress on lawmakers&#x27; sole constitutional obligation: the state budget.Why it matters: At the center of the budget standoff are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="competing plans for tax cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/10/senate-sales-property-tax-plan-desantis-florida" data-vars-content-id="29179ec4-afc0-4d45-97f0-73948c10caec" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay-area projects&#x27; funding at stake in Tallahassee budget fight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/10/senate-sales-property-tax-plan-desantis-florida" target="_self">competing plans for tax cuts</a>. But Tampa Bay&#x27;s bigger concern may be the split over funding for local projects.