Mar 7, 2019
WrestleMania
Tampa is hosting its first-ever WrestleMania 36 event in 2020.
The Tampa Bay Sports Commission worked for nearly a decade to bring WrestleMania to the Bay Area. It’s the main annual event for World Wrestling Entertainment and has been held in Florida only three times.
Orlando hosted the event in 2008 and 2017, and Miami hosted it in 2012. Tampa will finally have its chance. Wrestling fans from around the world will converge at Raymond James Stadium on April 5, 2020.
The stadium holds up to 66,000 people, and the event could have major economic impact on Tampa. Last year, WrestleMania’s event in New Orleans generated $175 million. Ticket sales will be announced at a later date.
Bayshore Condo
A new condo building in Tampa received key approval from the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.
The sanctuary at Alexandra Place on Bayshore Boulevard will be allowed to exceed a 200-foot height limit. Authority members voted unanimously for the $40 million project, at 2619 Bayshore Boulevard, which is about 2 miles west-northwest of Peter O. Knight Airport on Davis Islands.
The approval came with standard practice requirements to put red aviation warning lights atop the 215-foot-tall building. They will also correct any glare problems that may arise during construction. Developers at Taub Entities plan to break ground on the project on March 14.
Florida’s Sports Coast
Visit Pasco is giving itself a new identity. The Pasco County Tourism Organization is now calling itself Florida’s Sports Coast.
The marketing change is aimed to grab the attention of families looking for adventure. Home to 742 square miles of rolling green hills, scenic Gulf coastline, picturesque trails and rich culture, this active destination offers game-changing experiences for the whole family.
Florida’s Sports Coast redefines the recreational retreat and serves up endless fun for adventure seekers. It features lush nature trails, 35 area parks, thrilling zip line courses, nearby islands, four artificial reefs, canoe trails and year-round recreational fishing offer unlimited exploring options. The county hopes that the rebranding will help gain more attention to their parks and nature trails.
Gasparilla Music Festival
The Gasparilla Music Festival is in town, and more than 40 artists will be entertaining Tampa Bay this weekend at Curtis Hixon Park.
The festival is in its eighth year, it features local and national artists. This year’s headliners are the Avett Brothers and Gary Clark Jr.
St. Pete Grand Prix
The 15th Annual Firestone Grand Prix is back in St. Petersburg this weekend, the IndyCar event features three days of high-speed racing action.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy is the Grand Marshall. The 14-turn, 1.8-mile racing circuit incorporates downtown streets from Pioneer Park to part of the runway at Albert Whitted Airport.
The race is 110 laps, tickets are available on the Grand Prix’s website, or by calling 1(888)476-4479. Single-day tickets cost $20 for Friday, $35 for Saturday and $50 for Sunday. Three-day-tickets are also available. The NBC Sports Network will begin its coverage of the race at 12:30 p.m. ET Sunday.
