Spring break is upon us, the long awaited week of freedom. If you’re staying in St. Pete but looking for something outside of the Eckerd bubble, here are a few events and activities happening in the area to spice up your time off. Starting today, now’s your chance to expand your spring break.
St. Patrick’s Day
The great holiday of Irish drinking, dancing and delight starts off spring break with a flourish, on Monday. To pregame the holiday, Paddy Fest St. Pete starts today and will continue through this weekend in Williams Park, St. Petersburg. Today’s admission is free, and weekend passes start at $25 on Eventbrite for those looking to celebrate the holiday to the fullest.
Dance groups St. Pete Irish Dance and Scarriff Irish Dancers are set to offer a cultural showcase that attendees can enjoy with a Guiness or Irish beer in hand from the various vendors present.
What started as a small event hosted by Mary Margaret’s Olde Irish Tavern has become a day to “celebrate all things Irish”. An owner of the tavern, Pete Boland, wanted to expand the drinking tradition to a day “rooted in Irish culture, community and good craic.”
Mezzo Market
An Eckerd student favorite, the monthly Mezzo Market will be hosted behind the Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails on Saturday. Admission is free, and attendees can spend as much or as little as they choose on items that catch their eye.
With over 140 small and independent vendors, the market is the perfect place to find a trinket, handmade goodie or unique jewelry to add to your collection. For those looking for snacks to fuel their shopping, there will be plenty of food trucks, coffee shops and more to start the weekend right.
St. Petersburg BayFest
The second weekend of spring break brings even more excitement, with BayFest in North Straub Park, March 20-22. With a $5 entry for access to a variety of dining options and live music, BayFest promises to be a weekend filled with vibrant community spirit and fantastic food.
All of the food is cooked onsite by local restaurants and food vendors, with something for everyone. Vegetarian, seafood, meat, desserts, and more will be available for purchase.
For Nature Lovers
Maybe you’re looking for an escape from the city, or festivals and markets just aren’t your things. For those looking to reconnect with nature, there are plenty of options in the area.
A secluded island at the mouth of Tampa Bay, Egmont Key State Park primarily serves as a wildlife refuge and can only be accessed by boat. But fear not, as Hubbard’s Marina offers a ferry from Fort De Soto to the remote island. Though it may be on the pricier side at $45 for the day, the pristine beaches and historic sites make it the perfect getaway.
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a reliable, nearby choice for those not looking to travel far. With a $3 entry fee and 400 acres to explore, the beauty of the nature preserve will make you forget that the city is just across Lake Maggiore.
Keep an eye out for Florida’s favorite toothy reptiles– the gators love to tan near the trails.