Spring Break Next Week and No Plans? Read this...

Good morning neighbors ☀️

March might be the best time of the year in East of Tampa… especially if your life revolves around youth sports.

This past weekend we were out at a big 7v7 football tournament at the Waterset Sports Complex. The weather was perfect, the competition was great, and there were a lot of East of Tampa families out there.

After the games we somehow ended up at Dave’s Hot Chicken both days. I even posted a quick video about it on Instagram. Now we’ve got a family debate going: Dave’s Hot Chicken or Crossroads, which one are you picking?

It also got me wondering… what’s the sports participation rate for kids from 4th through 7th grade around here? It has to be one of the highest anywhere in the country. These fields are packed almost every night.

My wife and I are very involved with the FishHawk Spartans, so we get to see it up close.

Anyway, here’s what’s happening this week around East of Tampa.

🏄‍♂️ Paddle the River Green | Urban Kai | Tampa | Mar 14 | More

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend on the water at this festive paddle along the Hillsborough River. Participants launch from Urban Kai and paddle through downtown Tampa while dressed in green for the occasion. The event welcomes both kayaks and paddleboards and is beginner-friendly, making it a fun outdoor activity for friends and families looking to enjoy the river and the city skyline from the water.

855 E. Bloomingdale Ave Suite A - Brandon

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa will host a Grand Re-Opening celebration on Friday, March 13 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The event will feature complimentary chair massages, NuFACE demonstrations, mini-facials, curated refreshments, and exclusive event-only membership offers.

Let’s celebrate businesses in our community 👉 More

🎉 Parent’s Night Out | Campo Family YMCA | Valrico | Mar 13 | More
Parents can enjoy a night out while kids participate in supervised games, activities, and fun at the YMCA.

🥂 Morning Mimosa Networking Event | Valrico FishHawk Chamber | Valrico | Mar 13 | More
Morning networking event bringing together local business owners and professionals for coffee, mimosas, and connections.

💆 Hand & Stone Spa Re-Grand Opening | Hand & Stone Spa | Brandon | Mar 13 | More
Re-grand opening celebration welcoming guests to the Bloomingdale location with specials, tours, and community networking.

🎬 Family Movie Night | Park Square | FishHawk | Mar 13 | More
Outdoor movie night at Park Square where families can bring chairs or blankets and enjoy a film under the stars.

🍀 Celtic Fest 2026 | Salty Shamrock’s | Apollo Beach | Mar 13 | More
St. Patrick’s themed celebration featuring live music, drinks, food, and Irish-inspired festivities throughout the evening.

🥂 Morning Mimosa | Our Dream Kitchen | Plant City | Mar 13 | More
Local morning meetup where professionals and community members gather for coffee, mimosas, and networking.

🐶 Paws and Pints | Voodoo Brewing | Valrico | Mar 14 | More
Pet-friendly event where guests can bring their dogs while enjoying craft beer, vendors, and community fun.

🛍️ Spring Market Fair | Summerfield Community Center | Riverview | Mar 14 | More
Community market featuring local vendors, handmade goods, and family-friendly shopping.

🧘 Mat Pilates with JETSET Pilates | Armature Works | Tampa | Mar 14 | More
Outdoor pilates class designed for all fitness levels in the scenic setting of Armature Works.

🥧 Mathnasium Pi Day Party | Mathnasium | Valrico | Mar 15 | More
Pi Day celebration with math games, activities, and treats for students and families.

🛍️ Water Street Sunday Market | Water Street | Tampa | Mar 15 | More
Popular outdoor market featuring food vendors, local artisans, live music, and family activities.

🎣 Spring Break Fishing Experience | Apollo Beach Preserve | Apollo Beach | Mar 18 | More
Hands-on fishing experience designed for youth and families to learn fishing basics during spring break.

⛳ Ed Branciforte Memorial Golf Tournament | Diamond Hill Golf Club | Dover | Mar 20 | More
Annual charity golf tournament bringing the community together for a day of golf and fundraising.

👗 Runway of Strength – Fashion For A Cause | New Hope Social Hall | Brandon | Apr 18 | More
Community fashion show supporting a charitable cause, featuring local models, entertainment, and fundraising to benefit those in need.

Keeler Notary & Fingerprinting - Fast, reliable mobile notary and fingerprinting services for individuals and businesses across the Tampa Bay area. Convenient appointments for employment, licensing, and document authentication.

UJS Cleaning – Professional residential and commercial cleaning services serving the Tampa Bay area. Reliable teams delivering detailed home, office, and move-in/move-out cleaning with flexible scheduling.

Preservation 1st Financial Group – Retirement income planning and insurance strategies helping retirees and those planning to retire protect assets, generate reliable income, and navigate Medicare, annuities, and estate planning.

Faith Based Fitness Bus – A mobile gym bringing community workouts directly to local neighborhoods. Fully equipped with a squat rack, benches, boxing bag, battle ropes, and TRX. Also available for private events, corporate wellness sessions, and group fitness experiences. Check them out.

🏝️ Spring Break: Mar 16–20
📚 No School: April 3, 2026
✏️ No School: May 25, 2026
🎓 Last Day of School: May 29
School Calendar

The Big Bend Road and U.S. 301 corridor continues to see new retail development as the area becomes one of the fastest-growing parts of Hillsborough County.

Several new restaurant, retail, and service businesses are being planned or constructed along the corridor to support the thousands of homes built nearby over the past decade.

Local officials say the area is becoming a major commercial hub for South Hillsborough County, serving residents from Riverview, Wimauma, and FishHawk.

Whelp. That’s it for this issue.

See you Friday.