Following is a summary of festivals and events set for this month. If you know of a festival not listed here, please e-mail the details to tampa@aboutguide.com.
Hillsborough
- Zoofari
Where: Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 West Sligh Ave., Tampa
When: Saturday, Nov. 8, 7 to 11 p.m.
What: The event will feature live entertainment and more than 70 area restaurants serving up signature dishes. Admission is $80 in advance, $85 the day of the event. Proceeds benefit the zoo. Call 813-935-8552, ext. 276.
- Festival Conga Caliente
Where: Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave., Tampa
When: Sunday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What: Celebrating Tampa’s diverse culture, the free event will feature national performers, a beer garden, visual arts area, health village and domino tournament. Performers will include Marlon, Anthony Cruz, DLG, Ommy Cardona and Key Perdomo.
- Plant City Pig Jam
Where: Randy Larson Softball Four-Plex, 1900 South Park Road, Plant City
When: Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What: At the sixth annual Plant City Pig Jam State Barbecue Championship, individuals will compete in the professional, amateurs and kids barbecue competition. Parking cost is $3 and admission is free. Call 800-760-2315.
Manatee
- Terra Ceia Island Mullet Smoke-Off
Where: Seabreeze Park, 55 Horseshoe Loop Road, Terra Ceia
When: Saturday, Nov. 8, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What: At this fun-filled day of music, games, food on the waterfront of Terra Ceia Island, contestants will smoke mullet that is then judged by a panel of long time manatee county residents. Call 941-722-6239.
- Annual Car and Truck Show
Where: Gamble Plantation, 3708 Patten Ave., Ellenton
When: Saturday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What: Presented by Bill Mullis Corvettes and Classics, the event wil showcase classics, antiques, street rods and muscle cars. Live entertainment will be provided by Lance’s Cruzin’ to the Hop. Call 941-720-5555.
- Tomato and Founders’ Day Festival
Where: Sutton and Lamb parks, Sixth Street West and 10th Avenue West, Palmetto
When: Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What: Two days of fun, food and entertainment with performances by local groups, the Little Miss and Mister Tomato Contest, Farm City Week agriculture display, the inaugural Tomato Fight, tomato salsa contest, plant show and sale, antique tractor shows and carnival rides.
Pasco
- Riverhawk Music Fest
Where: Sertoma Youth Ranch, 85 Myers Road, Dade City
When: Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 6 through 9
What: The festival showcases an eclectic array of music featuring Americana, bluegrass, jamgrass, Celtic, newgrass and Cajun. This year’s lineup includes Cadillac Sky, Harper, Chris Knight, Krueger Brothers, The Steeldrivers, Tarbox Ramblers, Randy Kohrs, Have Gun Will Travel, Still Friends, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Hoots and Hellmouth, The Zydepunks, Waco Ramblers, The Dixie Beeliners, The Mayhaws and Sunset Bridge.
- Sertoma Youth Ranch Thanksgiving Weekend Bluegrass Festival
Where: Sertoma Youth Ranch, 85 Myers Road, Dade City
When: Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 27 through 30
What: A four-day bluegrass festival featuring performances by Al Batten and Bluegrass Reunion, Beth Stevens and Edge, Bluegrass Brothers, Roger Bass and the Hillbillies, Bluegrass Parlor, Carolina Road, Gary Waldrep, Larry Gillis, Smokey Green and Goldwing Express. Proceeds benefit the Sertoma Youth Ranch. Call 352-754-3082.
Pinellas
- A Taste in the Park
Where: Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center, 4951 78th Ave. N., Pinellas Park
When: Thursday, Nov. 6, 5 to 8 p.m.
What: Sponsored by the Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce, the event will offer attendees an opportunity to sample items from some of the area’s top restaurants. Call 727-544-4777.
- Dunedin Wines the Blues Festival
Where: Downtown Dunedin, on Main Street between Louden Avenue and Broadway
When: Saturday, Nov. 8, 5 to 11 p.m.
What: Scheduled performers include Jimmy Griswold, Julie Black and Michael Burks. Admission is free. Beer, wine, food and souvenirs will be available for purchase.
- Safety Harbor Wine Festival
Where: Main Street, downtown Safety Harbor
When: Saturday, Nov. 8, 5 to 11 p.m.
What: Presented by Dimmitt Cadillac, the event will feature food, arts and crafts, wines from all over the world and live entertainment. Cost is free; wine samples cost $3 to $5 with proceeds benefiting five local charitable organizations. Call 727-724-1572.
- RibFest 2008
Where: Vinoy Park, 500 Bayshore Drive N.E., St. Petersburg
When: Friday through Sunday, Nov. 14 through 16
What: The 20th anniversary of RibFest will appeal to rib lovers as well as fans of classic rock. This year’s music lineup includes the Greg Billings Band and Styx on Friday; Natalie Stovall, Blackfoot, 3 Story Fall and Doobie Brothers on Saturday; and Asia featuring John Payne, Boyce Avenue and Little River Band on Sunday. Gates open daily at 11 a.m.
- Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Classic
Where: Sheraton Sand Key Resort, 1160 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater; and Marriott Suites on Sand Key, 1201 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater
When: Friday through Sunday, Nov. 21 through 23
What: The 18th edition of this festival will include performances by Titan Hot Seven, Wally’s Warehouse Waifs, High Sierra Jazz Band, Cornet Chop Suey, Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band, Grand Dominon Jazz Band, Galvanized Jazz Band, Buffalo Ridge Jazz Band and the Valerie Gillespie Ensemble. Call 727-536-0064.
- Celtic Festival
Where: Highlander Park, Dunedin Community Center, 1920 Pinehurst, Dunedin
When: Saturday, Nov. 22, noon to 9:30 p.m.
What: The outdoor celebration serves as a fund-raiser for Dunedin’s Scottish bands and will feature performances by Seven Nations, Jiggernaut and Rathkeltair.
Sarasota
- Sarasota Medieval Fair
Where: Sarasota County Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
When: Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15 and 16 and 22 and 23
What: Guests will return to 10th century England at the fair which will feature family entertainment, full-armored and full-contact jousting tournaments, human combat chess match performance, juggling acts, the Walking Tree Man, bellydancers, troubadours and Irish dancers.