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Free Food and Live Music

Free Food and Live Music

Pasco is taking care of its children and lots on the docket full of sunshine this weekend!

Mike Rendel
May 02, 2025

Buzzing with Joy: No Politics, Just Positivity!
A community-led initiative.

Good Morning Neighbors. So much going on this weekend, make sure to bring your Kentucky Derby hat, pour your mint julep, and saddle up. There’s also a $100k waterfront party you can check out! I know our household will be testing the live music scene.

This week’s Friday Fix North of the Noise:

🍽️ Free Summer Meals – Pasco is rolling out no-cost breakfast and lunch for all kids starting June 9.
🎸 Live Music & River Jam – Temple Terrace throws a $100K birthday bash and the weekend is packed with bands.
🥩 Rodizio Steak Countdown – Mark your calendars: endless meat arrives May 28 at The Grove.

Let us know if we missed anything. Definitely let us know if we goofed. And be sure to follow us on Instagram, where we will keep you abreast of the local happenings throughout the week. You can always reply directly to this email.

Share with someone who claps when the plane lands. If that’s you, no judgment.

In Partnership with Gene Faircloth of Exit Bayshore Realty

During a stressful cross-state move for myself and my family, Gene was incredibly thoughtful and steady. He patiently walked us through every option, explained each step in detail, and made a complicated process feel simple. With school starting soon and time tight, he rearranged his schedule without hesitation to help us find our home. We felt truly understood and supported.

Gene is a Tampa native and proud USF graduate with nearly 20 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate. Known for clear communication, deep local knowledge, and a client-first approach, he goes the extra mile to support families through every step. He always blends professionalism with a love for Florida sunshine.

Gene Faircloth
Exit Bayshore Realty
Mobile: (813) 727-6904
201 E Davis Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606

The Digest

Featured Local News

Free Summer Meals for Kids in Pasco County
Pasco County Schools’ Summer Food Service Program begins June 9, 2025, and runs Monday through Thursday, offering free breakfast and lunch to all children and teens 18 years old and younger.

Meals will be served at dozens of school sites across the county, with curbside pickup available every Tuesday at select locations, providing seven days’ worth of meals per child.

The district will also operate mobile lunch sites Monday through Thursday at community hubs like Zephyr Park, New River Library, and the Dade City Splash Pad. For full details on participating locations, curbside schedules, and mobile feeding sites, visit the official announcement here.

Food & Dining 🍔

All-You-Can-Eat Steak Has Entered the Chat (Officially May 28)
Rodizio Grill, the original Brazilian steakhouse in the U.S., is opening its doors at The Grove at Wesley Chapel on Tuesday, May 28, and yes, I’ll be first in line and possibly the last to leave. Servers (a.k.a. gauchos) will bring around a rotating selection of fire-roasted meats like bacon-wrapped chicken, top sirloin, pork sausage, lamb, and more, right to your table.

There’s also an epic salad bar loaded with Brazilian sides like pão de queijo (cheesy bread), pineapple slaw, and bean stew.

The vibe? Interactive, flavorful, and perfect for birthdays, date nights, or just finally using that stretchy waistband. The salad bar is good enough for a meal all in itself but I like to work the system for more steak.

This is going to be in The Grove right next to Treble Makers.

Carrollwood’s Getting Saucy Again
Something new is simmering on North Dale Mabry. Piccolo Buco, a Roman-style pizza spot from Cooper’s Hawk, is set to replace the old Macaroni Grill. Expect wood-fired pies, fresh pastas, and a lineup of Italian wines you won’t find at your usual neighborhood trattoria. Originally launched in 2023, this will be Piccolo Buco’s very first Florida location, and it’s aiming to open later this year. Another big win for Carrollwood’s growing food scene.

Civic News

Pasco Awarded $585.7 Million in Federal Disaster Relief
Pasco County is getting $585.7 million in federal storm recovery funds to bounce back from hurricanes like Idalia. Even though we’re over in Hillsborough, it’s great news for our neighbors just north.

The money will go toward housing, roads, businesses, flood control, senior care, childcare, and homelessness programs—with $76M specifically for storm protection. At least 70% of it must help low- and moderate-income families.

Connected City Still on Track in Wesley Chapel
Pasco commissioners just got an update on the massive Connected City project—and things are moving forward as planned. Now in year 8 of a 50-year vision, the area is already home to Epperson’s Crystal Lagoon and will soon welcome a new AdventHealth hospital.

Some locals have raised concerns about the pace, but developers say this phase is all about laying the foundation—like expanding S.R. 52 and building out smart infrastructure. It’s not flashy yet, but it’s a big deal for the region’s future in tech, transit, and growth.

Local Development & Growth 🏘️

Big Moves in Land O’ Lakes
The Moffitt Speros campus is taking shape in a big way. Two major buildings—the Innovation Center and the high-tech Proton Therapy Center—just hit key construction milestones and are set to open in 2026. Local leaders recently celebrated with a topping-out ceremony, marking the final steel beam going into place. Once complete, the 775-acre campus will be a powerhouse for cancer research, education, and care, and one of the most ambitious projects in Tampa Bay’s history.

Community

This is slightly on the outskirts of our typical geographic interest but so awesome and still relevant! So we had to include it.

Busch Gardens Announces $40M Park Transformation
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is undergoing a nearly $40 million transformation, introducing the new Wild Oasis area in Jungala with animal encounters, interactive play zones, and the Tree Top Drop ride. Adventure Island is also set to debut Castaway Falls, a multi-level splash and play zone, enhancing the park's family-friendly attractions.

Veterans Get Free Tickets to Busch Gardens This Summer
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is honoring U.S. military personnel with its Waves of Honor program. Active-duty members can receive one complimentary admission per year for themselves and up to three dependents. Additionally, veterans can obtain up to four free tickets by registering through May 11, 2025, for use by July 6, 2025.

For those seeking extended access, a Military Pass is available for $152.99, offering unlimited visits to both Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, along with general parking, through December 31, 2025. This pass is available to both active-duty military and veterans.

Thank you, Busch Gardens!!

🎉 Temple Terrace Throws a Waterfront Birthday Bash
Temple Terrace is turning 100, and they're going big with their very first River Jam—a full-day waterfront music festival at Riverhills Park on Saturday, May 3. This $100,000 celebration runs from morning to evening and includes nonstop live music, 32 community booths, bounce houses, food, and a special appearance by Mayor Andy Ross.

thatssotampa.com

Drumlines from local schools start the day at 10:30 AM, followed by live sets from Moonberry, the Danny Moody Band, and Soul Circus Cowboys. Free shuttle service will run from three locations, and the event will also fund public art projects around the city. It’s a once-in-a-century celebration—and locals are expecting a packed park.

🏥 Local Hospitals Earn National Honors
AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and St. Joseph’s North just picked up some major praise, AdventHealth made Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2025 list and scored its 14th straight “A” safety grade from Leapfrog. U.S. News also named it High Performing in heart attack care, diabetes, joint replacements, and more.

Great to see our local hospitals leading the way in safety and quality care.

Events and Live Music Presented Along With The Murg Team

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Buzz-Worthy Events

🎸 Live Music

Friday, May 2, 2025

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Sunday, May 4, 2025

🎉 Events

Friday, May 2

Saturday, May 3

Sunday, May 4

Monday, May 5

Azteca D’Oro, Wesley Chapel | Cinco de Mayo Finale | All Day

We’ll be on Instagram with updates where ever we end up. Feel free to DM us to let us know we’ve forgotten a venue. The live music schedule can only grow from here.

Thanks for reading the North Tampa Buzzletter! Let’s chat again on Tuesday or on IG!

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