Issue #406: July 4th in Tampa Bay | Classical Radio Legend Retires | Rays Heat Up | Local History Gets Tipsy

6/26/2025

Author

Ted Grellner
26 Jun

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 

Local News

— Tampa Bay’s July 4 Lineup: Fireworks, Parades & More!

Entertainment

— The Voice of Tampa Bay Classical Retires After Four Decades

— Drunk (Tampa) History Toasts 138 Years of Local Weirdness

Sports

— Caminero, Aranda Power Rays to Best Record Since May

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Tampa Bay’s July 4 Lineup: Fireworks, Parades
& More!

The Tampa Bay area is gearing up for a vibrant Fourth of July celebration with a diverse lineup of events across counties.

In Hillsborough County, highlights include Boom by the Bay in Tampa, combining fireworks, boat parades, water-ski shows, concerts, DJs, and the famous Blessing of the Fleet across Sparkman Wharf, Armature Works, and Tampa Riverwalk. Busch Gardens hosts its own multi-day celebration with nightly fireworks. Elsewhere, Plant City, Lutz, Temple Terrace, and Dover offer parades, runs, and patriotic gatherings.

In Pinellas County, Clearwater, St. Pete Pier, Gulfport, Largo, Treasure Island, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, and Safety Harbor present family-friendly festivals with fireworks, food trucks, runs, cruises, concerts, and parades.

Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Citrus, and Sarasota Counties round out the festivities with early fireworks displays, boat parades, music festivals, food contests, and kid zones—all designed for community celebration.

Fireworks light up July 4 across the Bay, offering something festive for everyone.

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The Voice of Tampa Bay Classical Retires After
Four Decades

Russell Gant, a gentle radio presence on WUSF and Classical WSMR for 42 years, signed off on June 18, marking the end of an era in Tampa Bay and Sarasota classical music broadcasting.

Beginning as a University of South Florida student in 1983, Gant guided listeners through vinyl, CD, and streaming eras with warmth, unhurried pacing, and flawless timing. Known for shows like Morning Show and Midday Mozart, he became a local sonic staple.

Off‑air, Gant’s humor shone—most memorably during a pledge‑drive blooper when he quipped, “Thank you for upping your pledge. Now won’t you up yours?” He’s also an Elton John superfan, attending 28 concerts.

Now retired in Dade City, he’s embracing life’s softer cadence—playing golf, celebrating his daughter’s graduation, and planning travel, all “by ear.” While no successor has been named, Gant leaves the airwaves with the same finely tuned sense of timing that defined his career.

Drunk (Tampa) History Toasts 138 Years of Local Weirdness

(see article for better image)

Tampa turns 138 years old on July 15, and the celebration is anything but ordinary. The birthday bash takes place at Shuffle, Florida’s first indoor shuffleboard bar, and is headlined by “Drunk (Tampa) History”—a hilarious, boozy storytelling event hosted by local historian Manny Leto, director of Preserve the ’Burg.

For just $5, guests can enjoy a night filled with offbeat local history, craft beer, and shuffleboard. Doors open at 5 p.m., with local brews and eats like the Spaghetti Sammie on deck. Leto begins at 7 p.m., delving into Tampa’s wild past—pirate hoaxes, spy rings, and even a mayoral kidnapping.

The night continues with cake at 8 p.m., raffles, and a 9 p.m. performance by rapper Perception, capped off with Remix open-mic night.

Held during Archives Awareness Week, the party is part history lesson, part variety show—and fully Tampa. Arrive early; the courts (and beer) go fast.

Caminero, Aranda Power Rays to Best Record
Since May

Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov has been named the 2024-25 Ted Lindsay Award recipient, marking the second time NHL players have voted him as the league’s “most outstanding player.” 

The honor is especially prestigious as it’s the only NHL award determined by fellow players. Kucherov previously won the award in 2018-19 and was a finalist last season.

In 2024-25, Kucherov led the NHL with 121 points (37 goals, 84 assists) in 78 games, claiming his third Art Ross Trophy. His league-leading 84 assists made him just the fourth player in NHL history with three straight 80-assist seasons. He also topped the league in points per game (1.55), primary assists (56), and power-play points (46).

Lightning teammates presented the award to Kucherov in Tampa, highlighting his elite consistency and leadership.

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Biggest Concerts & Comedians in Tampa Bay, Sarasota
in July

Source: yahoo.com

Best Live Music in TB
6/19 - 6/26
Source: cltampa.com

This Weekend in TB:
6/27 - 6/29
Source:


Things to do Around Tampa & WC
6/26 - 7/2
Source: tampabeacon.com

This Week in TB area:
6/24 - 6/30
Source: tampabay.com

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