Issue #522: Water Street Welcomes Gasparilla Beats | Bucs Glory on Prime | Rays Take McClanahan Gamble | Bowl Game Brings Star QBs

12/18/2025

Author

Ted Grellner
18 Dec

Keep your finger on the Pulse!

GOOD MORNING

Dr Ted
USAF Retired

 
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

Our Event Calendar 

Please post events of interest to our NT|WC Live Events Calendar; its easy to do.

Local News

— Gasparilla Music Fest Finds Fresh Groove in Water Street Return

Entertainment

— “Raise the Flags” Waves In 50 Years of Bucs Glory on Prime Video

Sports

— Rays Bet on McClanahan’s Recovery with One-Year Deal

— Heisman Hopeful Meets Record-Breaking QB in ReliaQuest Bowl

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Gasparilla Music Fest Finds Fresh Groove in Water Street Return

After being postponed in 2025 due to financial strain from extreme weather, the Gasparilla Music Festival is officially returning with a new home in 2026: Water Street Tampa.

The festival will take place April 10–12 at Meridian Fields, a sprawling 11.5-acre space along East Cumberland and South Meridian Avenues.

Water Street Tampa is also stepping in as the event’s title sponsor, helping relaunch the beloved festival in “the heart of Tampa’s most energized district,” according to festival president David Cox.

Organizers expect over 10,000 attendees per day, and say the new location’s waterfront proximity and access to Ybor City make it an ideal venue.

Presale tickets go live at 11 a.m. this Wednesday on the festival’s official website. Lineup and logistical details will follow in the coming weeks.

After a year off, Gasparilla’s music celebration is ready to roar back—louder and livelier than ever.

“Raise the Flags” Waves In 50 Years of Bucs Glory on Prime Video

"Raise the Flags," a 10-part docuseries chronicling 50 years of Tampa Bay Buccaneers history, is now streaming on Prime Video. Directed by Emmy winner Trent Cooper and produced by Co-Owner Ed Glazer, the series dives deep into the franchise’s defining moments—from its 1976 winless start to two Super Bowl titles.

The series features 100+ interviews, rare archival footage, and behind-the-scenes stories from stars like Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, Doug Williams, Steve Young, and Tom Brady.

From the 1995 draft day drama to near-fights on plane rides and turkey sandwich career-launches, every twist in Bucs history is explored.

Each episode closes with a surprise: team legends naming the greatest Buccaneer of all time, with one bold pick by Jon Gruden revealed in Episode 5.

A must-watch for lifelong fans and newcomers alike, this is the most complete portrait of Bucs football ever produced.

Rays Bet on McClanahan’s Recovery with
One-Year Deal

The Tampa Bay Rays avoided arbitration with ace Shane McClanahan, signing him to a $3.6 million deal for 2026, matching his salary from the past two injury-shortened seasons.

McClanahan hasn’t pitched in the Majors since August 2023, following his second Tommy John surgery and a subsequent nerve issue in his left triceps that surfaced during Spring Training 2025.

Now 28, McClanahan has resumed throwing this offseason and is expected to have a normal Spring Training. Manager Kevin Cash and baseball ops chief Erik Neander praised his progress and determination.

From 2021–2023, McClanahan was among the best in baseball, earning two All-Star nods and logging 456 strikeouts with a 3.02 ERA.

If healthy, he’ll return to a deep rotation featuring Drew Rasmussen, Ryan Pepiot, Shane Baz, and new signing Steven Matz.

The Rays still have 11 arbitration cases pending, including Baz and Josh Lowe.

Heisman Hopeful Meets Record-Breaking QB in ReliaQuest Bowl

This year’s ReliaQuest Bowl will be one for the history books as Iowa and Vanderbilt meet for the first time ever on New Year’s Eve in Tampa.

Vanderbilt enters with a 10-win season and a high-powered offense led by Heisman finalist Diego Pavia. On the other side, Iowa’s defense remains elite, but its surprise weapon is QB Mark Gronowski, who set a program record with 15 rushing touchdowns and became the first Hawkeye ever to rush, throw, and catch a TD in the same game.

The bowl game has had a $1.2 billion impact on Tampa’s economy since its beginnings 40 years ago as the Hall of Fame Bowl.

Pre-game events kick off five days prior, including a beach day and parade.

The 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl kicks off Wednesday, Dec. 31 at noon at Raymond James Stadium.

Tickets start at $95.

30+ Free Holiday Events in Tampa Bay for a Festive Date

Source: tampabaydatenightguide.com

Things to do Around Tampa Bay this weekend
11/ - 11/
Source: wtsp.com


Things to do Around Pasco
11/13 - 11/19
Source: suncoastnews.com

Things to do Around
Tampa & WC:
12/18 - 12/24
Source: tampabeacon.com

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