Compiled by Kathy L. Collins, Arts and Entertainment Editor
Happy New Year to one and all! If you are looking for something fun to do over the New Year’s weekend, check out these fun events from around the area. Here’s to a healthy, prosperous and happy 2011!
This is the last weekend for some old fashion holiday fun with outdoor ice skating at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa. The outdoor rink is open now through January 2, 2011. You can enjoy ice skating on real ice. Admission, including skate rental, is $10 for 90 minutes. The rink is open daily Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday 12 to 8 p.m. For more information please visit, www.tampasdowntownonice.com.
Now through January 2, take the children to the Glazer Children’s Museum’s Tasty Tradition. You can share the food and crafts from around the world. The museum chef will demonstrate and provide samples of holiday delights. Times for this tasty event are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Monday; 11 a.m. and 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday (closed on New Year’s Day) and 1:30 and 4 p.m. on Sunday. The event is free with admission to the museum. Glazer Children’s Museum is located at 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. For more information, please visit www.glazermuseum.org or call 443-3861.
Come out and cheer the teams on at the Outback Bowl Parade on Friday, December 31 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Ybor City. There will be floats and 20 marching bands. This free, family event will run along 7th Ave. in Ybor City. For more information, please visit www.outbackbowl.com.
There a lots of events going on for New Year’s Eve. You can enjoy fireworks and watch the ball drop “Light Up Tampa Bay” at midnight at Channelside Bay Plaza located at 615 Channelside Dr. in Tampa. This event is free.
St Petersburg is offering its 17th Annual First Night. There will be lots of events running from 30th St. to the Pier. This is a family friendly celebration which begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children. For more information and to obtain tickets, please visit www.firstnightstpete.com.
The Florida Aquarium is hosting “Aqua-Eve” on Saturday, December 31 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $100 and include complimentary food, beer and wine throughout the aquarium. There will be a champagne toast at midnight and you can view the fireworks. For more information, please visit www.flaquarium.com.
The Outback Bowl will take place on Saturday, January 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Cheer on the Florida Gators or the Penn State Nittany Lions. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and kick-off is at 1 p.m. For more information, please visit www.outbackbowl.com.
It cooking is what will relax you after the hectic holidays, then plan on going to the Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium on Sunday, January 2 at 12 p.m. and learn how to make southern style biscuits. The Rolling Pin is located at 2080 Badlands Dr. in Brandon. For more information, please visit www.rollingpinonline.com or call 653-2418.
Email kcollins@ospreyobserver.com with any upcoming arts and entertainment events you would like to include in this weekly column.
