This Weekend in Tampa: Mud Fights, Sharks and Sam Smith
By Ryan Gorman
Sam Smith is coming to Tampa on Friday with opening act country star Cam at Amalie Arena.
In its fifth year, SharkCon is similar to comic con, with Jaws star Richard Dreyfuss and actors from Sharknado including Ian Ziering, Cassie Scerbo and Gena Lee Nolin. There’s also a shark tooth dig pit, paddleboard clinic, scuba pool, shark ride, mermaids, marine rescue exhibits, STEM projects and shark dissection. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
Extreme Mud Wars returns with contests in dodgeball, tug-of-war, an obstacle course, joust pit, the eliminator and mud volleyball. It will take 10 dump trucks of soil and eight fire hoses to create this messy fun at Lake Vista Park. It’s free for spectators, with food trucks and a beer garden on site. To play, it’s $500 for a team, and individuals can be placed on a team for $65. Sign up at extrememudwars.com. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. 1401 62nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg.
Bad Jews: The play opening at American Stage is the New York Times’ pick for best comedy of this season. A grandfather’s valuable heirloom shifts relatives from grief to competition.
The Cool Art Show, always held in the middle of summer, always in the sweet, sweet air conditioning of the Coliseum, is Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Admission and parking are free.
At the Back to School Bash, everyone gets free school supplies, and the first 250 kids get a free backpack. From noon-2 p.m. kids can meet the Lightning’s Thunder Bug and DJ Kitty from the Tampa Bay Rays 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday in front of JCPenney at 459 Brandon Town Center.
THIS WEEK IN DRESS-UP: Christmas in July! Wear a Santa hat with your bathing suit and head to Dunedin’s Highlalder pool on Saturday. Dance to holiday music while enjoying holiday-themed games, races, a visit from Santa, s’mores, and an elf raffle. $3, 2 and younger free, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.