April Filled with Fun and Games in Largo
The month of April is packed with events that cater to just about everyone.
Whether you are a child, adult, gamer, comic book fan, music lover, animal lover or just a plain lover, there is something for you.
Special events kick off Saturday, April 6, at Largo Central Park with the return of the popular Touch-a-Truck and Playing! Unplugged events. The next day, couples looking to tie the knot can check out the Brides for the Arts Wedding Expo.
The following weeks will include Pawfest, the free carnival where canines take center stage; the return of the Largo Live Central Park Music Series; the Largo Playcon Gaming and Comic Convention; and more.
Playing! Unplugged and Touch-a-Truck
Two of Largo’s most popular free events arrive Saturday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when Playing! Unplugged and Touch-a-Truck return to Central Park.
Touch-a-Truck allows children to climb, honk and play around in a variety of vehicles, including fire trucks, dump trucks, buses and an 18-wheeler.
The day also will include the annual Playing! Unplugged … Just What the Doctor Ordered. The event’s new host, Dr. Cesar Lara, invites children of all ages to unplug from technology and participate in a variety of activities, including a ropes course, obstacle course, Nerf battle, tree and rock climbing and more.
Free limited on-site parking is available and park and walk will be offered from Largo Middle School.
Brides for the Arts Wedding Expo
The Central Park Performing Arts Center will host its annual wedding expo on Sunday, April 7, from noon to 3 p.m. The Center will showcase some of the best wedding and event professionals in the Tampa Bay area.
Couples looking to tie the knot will have the opportunity to interact with selected vendors from various categories, see the latest trends of 2019, enjoy guided tours of the Central Park wedding sites and rustic Historic Largo Feed Store.
The event is free to all attendees who pre-register online by Friday, April 5, with the first 100 brides registered to receive a special bridal swag bag. All brides will be entered into (must be present to win) a drawing for a stay at Camelot Beach Resort in Clearwater Beach or a VIP Experience Package to WTR at The Godfrey Hotel and Cabanas, as well as a chance to win other prizes.
Walk-ups are welcome at $10 per entry with all of the proceeds going to Central Park Performing Arts Center theatre camp scholarships.
For more information, call 727-587-6751.
13th annual Pawfest
The Kiwanis Club of Largo/Mid-Pinellas will present its 13th annual Pawfest on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Largo Central Park.
Co-sponsored by the city of Largo, Pawfest is a free carnival for children and dogs with fun activities for the whole family.
Besides offering plenty of adoptable pets, the festival will include dog agility demonstrations and a K-9 demonstration by the Largo Police Department.
Other activities include contests for the best-costumed dogs, best trick dogs, and largest and smallest dog. Children contests include musical chairs and hula hoops. Bounce houses also will be back, and Largo Central Railroad will offer rides.
Sponsorships, vendor fees and drawings help fund the Kiwanis Club’s many service programs for the year.
For more information on Pawfest to learn about Kiwanis membership, call 727-536-0412.
Footgolf tournament
The David Haines Memorial Footgolf Tournament benefiting the Pinellas Chapter of Special Olympics will be held Saturday, April 13, at the Largo Municipal Golf Course, 12500 Vonn Road.
Registration for the event, which substitutes soccer balls for golf balls, will run from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Play will begin at 10 a.m. and continue for the nine-hole course until noon, but participants may complete the 18-hole course. Lunch will be available for purchase in the golf course clubhouse and water will be furnished throughout the tournament.
Cost is $20 per player and $20 per “virtual” player for those wishing to contribute but not actually play. Each entry fee includes nine holes and an opportunity to win prizes. Each paid entry also sponsors a Special Olympics athlete to participate in the tournament at no cost to the athlete. An adult must accompany players age 13 and younger. No cleats will be allowed on the course. Players may bring their own regulation size 5 soccer ball or one will be provided. A silent auction will be conducted throughout the tournament and each player will receive a swag bag. Opportunities to purchase tickets to win other prizes will be available during the event.
Registration may be done online at specialolympics:
florida.org/pinellas/foot-golf-scramble. For more information, contact Cydni Weiner at cydniweiner@sofl.org.
Largo Live Central Park Music Series
The Betty Fox Band will kick off the Largo Live Central Park Music Series with a performance Friday, April 19, 7 to 10 p.m., in Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo.
This new music series will feature a different local headliner each month. The free concerts will be presented on third Fridays at the park and also will feature food vendors, beer and wine.
Upcoming headliners include country rock band Soul Circus Cowboys on May 17 and pop-rock performer Chris McCarty on June 21.
For information, visit LargoEvents.com.
Playcon Gaming and Comic Convention
Highland Recreation Complex will host the second annual Largo Playcon on Saturday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In partnership with M&M Video Games, this family-friendly event is for fans of all ages with an appreciation for gaming and comics.
Featured will be vendors of toys and collectibles, artwork, apparel, comic books, games and more. There will also be gaming competitions and free play, a costume contest, cosplay guest and a chance to meet local comic book artists.
Event wristbands are on sale and can be purchased at Highland Recreation, M&M Video Games locations and online at PlayLargo.com.
Cost is $7 in advance and $10 at the door for ages 12 and older. Children age 11 and younger get in free.
For more information, call 727-518-3016 or visit HighlandRecreation.com.
SOURCE: tbnweekly.com