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Good Morning From Lutz!

The freeze is finally behind us, and we’re right back into classic Florida mode. It does look like we’ll see some rain and possibly a storm or two this weekend, so we’ll keep an eye on it. Hopefully it cooperates, because this might be one of the busiest weekends we’ve had in a while.

We’re closing in on St. Patrick’s Day and spring break season, which always seems to shift things into a new gear. The calendar is packed with some of our biggest annual favorites, plus a few fun pop-up events sprinkled in.

Rain or not, it’s shaping up to be a full one around town.

With the big Strawberry Festival going on in Plant City, here is a video by 10 Tampa Bay News.

Make it a great weekend!

-Mike

Access local events three different ways:

Community Calendar
Full List of Events w/Links
Join our Facebook Events Group

In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:

🍓 $5 unlimited samples at Taste of Carrollwood
🌾 Lutz farm survives freeze, U-Pick continues
🏠 Hurricane recovery funds expected to speed up
🛍️ Wesley Chapel Craft Festival this weekend
🎸 Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival

…and more!

Feel free to follow us on Instagram for more local updates.

$5 Unlimited Food Fest Returns

Not that you’ll have a hard time finding somewhere to get some food this weekend, but this is one of those events that makes you double-check the price. The 2026 Taste of Carrollwood is back at Carrollwood Village Park on March 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it’s just $5 for unlimited samples from 30+ local restaurants.

Wristbands get you all-you-can-eat tastings while supplies last, plus access to vendor booths, entertainment, and a scavenger hunt. Last year drew about 3,000 people, and organizers say their long-term goal is to grow it even bigger right here in Carrollwood.

Lutz Farm Beats the Freeze

It takes some grit to farm through a Florida cold snap. Weck Farms in Lutz is still going strong with weekend U-Pick strawberries through late March, thanks to some long, sleepless nights protecting the crop.

When temperatures dropped, the family ran irrigation overnight to coat the blooms in a thin layer of ice, which actually shields the fruit from damage. The Lawrances, longtime local farmers who also own Bearss Groves in Carrollwood, say the community showed up in a big way after the freeze. After strawberry season, they’ll continue U-Pick with crops like broccoli, melons, and sunflowers.

Hurricane Recovery Money Picking Up

A lot of families are still waiting on storm help, and Pasco says things should finally start moving faster. The county received nearly $586 million from HUD after Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton, and officials expect payments to ramp up over the next four to six months.

The Better Future program can provide:
• Up to $330,000 for home reconstruction
• Up to $75,000 for reimbursements on eligible repairs

More than 1,140 applications have been started, but only a handful of payments have gone out so far. Contractors are expected to begin receiving project assignments as early as next week, and complete applications could move within about 60 days. Residents needing help with paperwork can call 727-228-4936.

A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!

$2B MOSI Transformation Moves Forward

The USF corridor is already in the middle of major change, and this could be the biggest piece yet. County commissioners are backing a sweeping redevelopment vision for the 67-acre MOSI site that they say could become the county’s largest economic development project ever.

Plans currently include:
• A large athletic field house and hotel as phase one
• An entertainment corridor with a film studio and black box theater
• Residential units, retail, office space, and two hotels
• A proposed privately developed ice facility

MOSI stays in place, and the full buildout is projected around $2 billion. Rezoning could take up to 18 months, with public hearings beginning this spring. Officials say if approvals stay on track, the project could be fully advancing by November.

I hope this answers the question, “What is there to do around town without having to drive down to Tampa?”

If you’re looking for everything happening around town, the full Community Calendar is still the best place to go. Or, you can find the full list here.

We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up. Feel free to slide into our DM’s.

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