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- Issue #557: Pasco’s 79 Years of Pride | Titanic Exhibit in Tampa | Gasparilla Music Fest at Water Street | A Team 55 Years in the Making?
Issue #557: Pasco’s 79 Years of Pride | Titanic Exhibit in Tampa | Gasparilla Music Fest at Water Street | A Team 55 Years in the Making?
2/18/2026
Ted Grellner
18 Feb
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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
— 79 Years of Pasco Pride on Display
Of Interest
— Immersive Titanic Exhibit Makes Waves in Tampa
Entertainment
— Gasparilla Music Festival Strikes a New Chord at Water Street
Sports
— The Most Entertaining Team in 55 Years?
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79 Years of Pasco Pride on Display
Pasco County Fair Celebrates 79 Years of Agricultural Tradition
The annual Pasco County Fair is marking 79 years of heritage, bringing agriculture, youth leadership and family fun back to Dade City. First held in 1948, the fair continues to highlight Pasco County’s deep farming roots while creating new memories for generations.
Youth Livestock Shows Take Center Stage
From steers to rabbits, 4-H and Future Farmers of America students showcase animals they’ve raised all year. For 15-year-old Kristen Vanderkrake, showing her steer is more than competition — it’s stress relief and personal growth. Many animals will later be auctioned, continuing a long-standing agricultural tradition.
“Take a Trip Down Memory Lane”
This year’s theme honors the fair’s founders and decades of community pride. Organizers say while carnival rides, food vendors and live entertainment draw crowds, agriculture remains the backbone of the event.
The fair runs through Sunday at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City.
Immersive Titanic Exhibit Makes Waves in Tampa
‘Titanic: An Immersive Voyage’ Drops Anchor in Tampa
More than a century after the ill-fated voyage of the RMS Titanic, a new exhibit invites Tampa residents to step aboard history. “Titanic: An Immersive Voyage – Through the Eyes of the Passengers” is now open on North Dale Mabry Highway, blending storytelling with cutting-edge technology.
A Journey Beyond the Tragedy
Rather than focusing solely on the ship’s sinking, the 60- to 90-minute experience traces the Titanic’s construction, grandeur and final voyage. Visitors move through detailed room recreations, projection mapping displays and immersive galleries that highlight passenger stories from 1912.
High-Tech Exploration
The exhibit features 3D visuals and video animation, while VIP guests can explore the wreck site through a virtual reality dive more than 2.5 miles beneath the Atlantic Ocean.
A Tampa Connection
Local explorer Michelle Turman, who visited the wreck site in 2000, adds a hometown link to the global story.
The exhibit runs through April, with tickets starting at $22.90.
Gasparilla Music Festival Strikes a New Chord at Water Street
Gasparilla Music Festival Reveals Lineup for Water Street Return
The Gasparilla Music Festival is officially back — and moving to a new home. After a one-year hiatus, the three-day event will take over Meridian Fields at Water Street Tampa from April 10-12, with organizers expecting 10,000 attendees per day.
Headliners Take the Stage
Indie favorites Mt. Joy, electronic duo Two Friends, and Southern rock powerhouse Gov’t Mule will lead the festival. The diverse lineup also includes Shakey Graves, Jai Wolf, Drive-By Truckers, Bryce Vine, GZA & The Phunky Nomads, and Kaitlin Butts, alongside several Tampa Bay local acts.
A Fresh Start After Cancellation
The 2025 festival was canceled due to financial strain tied to extreme weather. Previously held at Curtis Hixon Park, the festival now relocates to the 11.5-acre Meridian Fields site, marking a major reset for the long-running event.
Ticket Information
Weekend passes start at $100, with single-day general admission at $55.
The Most Entertaining Team in 55 Years?
The South Florida Bulls men's basketball are delivering one of the most electric seasons in program history, combining relentless pace with record-setting offense. At 18-8 overall and 10-3 in conference play, head coach Bryan Hodgson’s revamped roster has transformed into the American Conference’s most explosive unit.
Historic Offensive Numbers
USF leads the league in scoring (88.8 ppg), rebounds, offensive boards, assists, free throws, and 3-point attempts. The Bulls have already set single-season school records with six 100-point games and 13 performances of 90 or more points — and they’re still climbing. Senior center Izaiyah Nelson is averaging 16.0 points and 9.8 rebounds, anchoring both efficiency and intensity.
Fast, Physical and Fun
The Bulls pressure opponents with speed, depth and attacking defense, holding multiple conference foes under 40% shooting. With postseason ambitions in sight, USF is making a compelling case as the most entertaining team in its 55-year history.
Top Events in Tampa Bay for week of | Things to do in Tampa this weekend |
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Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
The Arts
- The Exhibiting Society of Artists (new)
- USF College of the Arts
- USF Steinway Piano Concert Series
Theater
- NTPAC - New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- New Tampa Players
- USF School of Theatre & Dance
- Wesley Chapel Theater Group
- Carrollwood Players Theatre
Misc
- Carrollwood Center Events
- Craft Festivals (new)
- Fall (Farmer’s) Market Guide for Tampa Bay (new)
- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC
- visitflorida.com
For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids
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