Florida Orchestra Masterworks Series: Under the direction of Michael Francis, and joined by Brett Karlin of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, the orchestra presents Mozart’s Requiem. $8-$55. 8 p.m. Friday. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. Also at 8 p.m. Saturday, Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg; and at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. 727-892-3337.

Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays face the Toronto Blue Jays. Fans age 14 and younger will get a snap bracelet while supplies last. Price varies. 1:40 p.m. Sunday. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. 888-326-7297.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers whose hits include Bad Reputation and I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll perform. $50 and up. 8 p.m. Sunday. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 813-627-7625.

Wanda Sykes: The Emmy-winning standup comic, writer and produce performs. $45-$79.50 7:30 p.m. Friday. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-300-2000.

Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town: The Grammy-winning country singer-songwriter headlines. $40-$150. 7 p.m. Friday. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, 4801 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. 813-740-2446.

Movies in the Park: Preserve the Burg invites you to grab a seat in the waterfront park for live music by the Gulf Coast Cowboys. A screening of The Rookie follows. Free. 6:30 p.m. Thursday. North Straub Park, Fifth Avenue NE and Bayshore Drive, St. Petersburg. 727-824-7802.

Hippie Dash for Peace, Love and Goodwill: Come together for a 10K, 8K (or both), 1-mile walk, Woof & Roll and a Flower Child Fun Run along Safety Harbor’s waterfront. A post-race party includes ‘60s music, free food and costume contests with prizes for best dressed “grownup” hippie, flower child and doggie. Benefits Goodwill programs. $12-$87. 6:30 a.m.-noon Saturday. Safety Harbor Marina, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane. 727-423-3354.

Sunflower Season Farm Fun: Make your way through a maze of towering sunflowers at this farm festival with hayrides, a tree house play area, jumbo foosball, sunflower crafts, , picking fields access, visits with farm animals and more. $10.75, 2 and younger free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Sweetfields Farm, 17250 Benes Roush Road, Masaryktown. 352-279-0977.

Planning your weekend?

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition: The exhibition is a collection of the artist’s renowned ceiling frescoes from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, reproduced in a format that allows viewers to get face-to-face with the masterpieces. Through 34 artfully displayed reproductions, this presentation includes world-renowned pieces like The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment. $20.30, $15.40 children. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. WestShore Plaza, 250 WestShore Plaza, Tampa. 805-765-0549.

A Night at the Brewseum: “Play like a kid and drink like a local” as you join other beer lovers for a craft beer tasting with live music, drawings and a minute-to-win-it EX Games competition for prizes. Benefits the Great Explorations Children’s Museum. $55. 6-9 p.m. Saturday. 3 Daughters Brewing, 222 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-495-6002.

The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui: A Gangster Spectacle: The play recasts Hitler’s rise to 1930s Chicago where a gangster methodically pulls the greengrocer trade into a stranglehold. Terror and bloodshed follow. $18-$44. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday. Shimberg Playhouse at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.

Next Generation Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty: In the fairy tale, Princess Aurora is cursed by the evil queen to a 100-years’-slumber on her 16th birthday. Doomed by fate, only a prince’s sweet kiss can break the spell and awaken the sleeping beauty. The presentation features NGB’s rising stars and is staged by artistic director Philip Neal. $20 and up. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.

Uptown Music Festival: This festival highlights the culture of the Uptown District of Tampa through music and art. Benefits programs and services of the University Area CDC. $25-$50, 12 and younger free. 4-10 p.m. Saturday. University Area Community Development Center, 14013 N 22nd St., Tampa. 813-558-5212.

Second Saturday ArtWalk: Studios and galleries in five arts districts open new exhibitions and stay open late. Find a map that includes trolley stops on the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance’s website at stpeteartsalliance.org. Make sure to stop by St. Pete Artworks (2604 Central Ave., St. Petersburg) for a viewing of My Environment. Listen to acoustic music by Keith Otten as you check out the latest works by members of the Gulf Coast Artists’ Alliance. Pieces represent the members’ interpretations of environments visited in their daily existence, either real or imaginary. Remains on display through May 29. Free. 5-9 p.m. Saturday. Various locations in downtown St. Petersburg. 727-738-8010.

Creator Clash: This boxing event, sanctioned by the Florida State Boxing Commission, features famed digital creators across gaming, animation, tech, dancing, finance, cuisine and comedy. Each fighter has been training with professional boxing coaches for more than six months. Benefits the American Heart Association. $25-$2,000. 6 p.m. Saturday. Yuengling Center, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-974-3111.

Pops in the Park: Pack a blanket and picnic for free music under the stars, a Florida Orchestra tradition for nearly 30 years. Perfect for date night or family time, the show features film scores, Broadway hits and symphonic favorites. Daniel Black conducts. Free. 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Julian B. Lane Park, 1001 N Boulevard, Tampa. 813-259-1610.

Riverfest: Riverfest spans the entire length of the Riverwalk including several parks and features family-friendly activities and events showcasing Tampa’s cultural institutions, local musicians and restaurants. The festival includes Taste of Riverwalk on Friday night and TacoFest on Saturday. There is also a full concert series of local bands on the main stage in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and a balloon glow at sunset both nights. Other activities include a wiener dog derby, sidewalk chalk artists and a standup paddleboard invasion. Free. 4-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday. Riverwalk, Tampa. 407-697-0038.

Florida Wiener Dog Derby XII: Watch dachshunds of all ages and sizes scramble in seven racing divisions to see who crosses the finish line first. Approximately 300 dogs will compete in races and other contests including best kisser, best tail, best nose, speed trap and P-Nut Butter Lick. Benefits Low Rider Dachshund Rescue of Florida, Skyway Dachshund Rescue, DARE Dachshund Adoption Rescue and Education and Save Our Cocker Spaniels (SOCKS). Free, race/contest fee starts at $11. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. 407-502-0852.

T.J. Miller: The actor and comedian best known for starring in Silicon Valley and the How to Train Your Dragon series and playing Weasel in the Deadpool films has chosen Tampa to film his next comedy special, The Philosophy Circus. $42. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday. Improv Comedy Theater, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. 813-864-4000.

Sunflower Season Farm Fun: Make your way through a maze of towering sunflowers at this farm festival with hayrides, a tree house play area, Tumbleweed Rollers, jumbo foosball, pitcher pump duck races, sunflower crafts, pedal tractors, access to the harvest barn, picking fields access and visits with farm animals. $10.75, 2 and younger free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Sweetfields Farm, 17250 Benes Roush Road, Masaryktown. 352-279-0977.

Star Wars Night: This Is the Way: Emperor DJ Tom Gold and Master Jedi DJ KC Killjoy spin the latest industrial/goth/EBM/electro/noise and synth pop for this May the Fourth Be With You celebration with drink specials, Vulcan Death Grip shots, light saber floggings, a Wookiee howling contest and costume contest. $20. 10:30 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday. The Castle, 2004 N 16th St., Tampa. 813-247-7547.

Literary Drag Show: “Welcome to Dragwarts” is a literary cabaret show that features drag, burlesque and other performers taking the stage to celebrate the world of Harry Potter. 18 and older. $20-$25 at wordierthanthou.com. 7-9 p.m. Thursday. Mirror Lake St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, 559 Mirror Lake Drive N. 727-822-2083.

American Stage in the Park: After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, American Stage returns to the outdoor park stage with Footloose — The Musical, based on the 1984 film of the same name. $21-$53. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Demens Landing Park, 100 First Ave. SE, St. Petersburg. 727-823-7529.

Iconic: Portrait Edition: Morean Arts Center takes over Seventh Street N and Morean Glass Studio for this fundraiser featuring a variety of activities inspired by the art of portraiture. Walk the red carpet in your most iconic look, view artists in action as they paint portraits of unique individuals vying for judges and people’s choice awards at the end of the evening. You can also paint your own pop art portrait, and there will be other hands-on activities. $150. 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-822-7872.

Lead Foot Fiesta: Cinco de Mayo Festival: This traditional fiesta adds an automotive twist with Latin dancing, Luchador wrestling, a low rider car show, mariachi band and a concert by Tito Puente Jr. $10. 5 p.m.-midnight Saturday. Lead Foot City, 17109 Old Ayers Road, Brooksville. 844-532-3366.

Cinco de Mayo Street Fiesta: The 30th annual celebration features mariachi Guadalupe, Grupo Folklorico Mahetzi, free salsa lessons, Orquista Infinidad, a Mojinganga parade, a drum line and dancing. No cover (food/drink additional). 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday. Casa Tina’s, 365 Main St., Dunedin. 727-734-9226.

Mom’s Night Out: If you’ve ever cared for a child, pet, houseplant or anything else, you’re invited to a free screening of Magic Mike as part of the Film Tampa Bay Series, which features local films, filmmakers, actors and locations. Free. 7 p.m. Thursday. Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St. 813-274-8286.

Jimmy Failla: The New York City cabdriver turned standup comic who hosts Fox News Radio talk show Fox Across America and has been on AXS TV’s Gotham Comedy Live performs. $32. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Improv Comedy Theater, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. 813-864-4000.

Maxwell: Three-time Grammy-winning and multiplatinum artist Maxwell performs with Anthony Hamilton and Joe. $70.25-$130.25. 8 p.m. Saturday. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-301-6500.

The Band’s Visit: In The Band’s Visit, a band mysteriously brings a desert town to life in tantalizing ways. $46.50-$101.50. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.

There’s a crow that sits on top of the chicken coop at Sweetfields Farm, and it’s best friends with the chickens.

What You Need To Know

How does Farmer Ted Kessel know this? Because every time a chicken hawk comes close by, the crow goes into a four-alarm freak-out even trying to alert. Also, whenever a fox comes close to the chicken coop, there’s the crow diving at it.

And what does the crow do all this for? Every day he steals an egg. And every day the chickens let him. The chicken coop is the newest addition to Sweetfield's Farm in Masaryktown, just a hop, skip and jump from Brooksville.

They are open on weekends until Memorial Day for farm activities, including a 7-acre sunflower maze. The coop is part of the farm, along with Kessel’s wife, fellow farmer Lisa Kessel.

“We try to incorporate things that happen to us each year, the year we got pigs, we got a pig, the year we built a barn we did a barn. Lisa’s really into overalls this year. We did a farmer lady with overalls,” said Ted Kessel.

Lisa Kessel is actually sporting overalls when she takes us to the U-Pick flower field. “When we are in harvest time, it’s extremely rewarding to be out here in the morning. Not only are the fragrances at their peak, and also just the way the sun hits the crop in the morning, it’s absolutely beautiful, it’s peaceful, you get to hear the conversation of the animals out here as well,” said Lisa Kessel.

Bees, Birds, pigs, goats and of course the chickens. Bouquets are filled with zinnias and sunflowers mixed with lemon basil. And the leftover leaves from bouquet-making, it’s a goat fave!!!

For the pigs, harvest time also means extra veggies, and they are ready for it, that and muddy holes in their enclosure. It’s the 14th spring harvest season for the Kessels, who are determined to make a life with their two children on the farm. It’s been everything to them.

"So you asked me earlier, you said, ‘how does it feel in the morning when you walk into the field to do your chores?'" said Lisa Kessel. “The energy that comes off of the sunflower field, unbelievable. You can't help but have a smile that goes from cheek to cheek. And by the end of cutting, your cheeks are hurting so bad. The smells, the sounds, everything is just unbelievable.”

Popular pumpkin patches in Florida offer a ton of autumn fun for the family.

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Pasco County is filled with fun family traditions in the fall: cool nights around a bonfire, the first sip of hot apple cider and the yearly excursion to nearby pumpkin patches to find the best pumpkin.

The perfect Halloween pumpkin is waiting. Plus, many pumpkin patches offer complimentary hayrides, corn mazes and games for kids.

It’s best to call ahead or check its website for coronavirus-related guidelines and hours of operation.

Below are some top pumpkin patches in and around Pasco County to visit in 2021:

Come out to the Harvest Moon Fun Farm at 15990 Stur St., Masaryktown, and find the perfect pumpkin, get lost in the 5-acre corn maze, let the kids ride the cow train, visit the new petting farm, plunge down the mine shaft on a potato sack inside a 20-foot tube and jump on the 70-foot jumping pillow, ride pedal carts, check out the tree house, test your skills in the ball zone, play the konk the crow game and enjoy some fall treats to eat like fresh, hand-popped kettle corn.

The pumpkin patch and corn maze is open in October on Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In November, the pumpkin patch is open Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets are $13.95 for adults and children age 3 and up on weekends and $9.95 on weekdays and includes all the attractions and the maze. Gem mining the swing ride, vendors, food and pumpkins are an additional cost.

Click here for tickets.

Families are invited to return to Harvest Moon at 7 p.m. on select nights for the flashlight maze and the haunted trail.

The flashlight maze is a non-scary Halloween alternative, inviting young and old alike to make their way through the maze by flashlight at night.

Or families can take a walk through the Haunted trail and see if they can escape the swamp and make it to the haunted barn.

The nighttime events take place Oct. 31, and Nov. 1, 6 and 7.

Bring your own flashlight. Tickets are $22.95 to $27.95. Click here.

Starkey Market, 3460 Starkey Blvd., New Port Richey, has pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, gourds and other fall decor.

Visitors can also enjoy fall-flavored coffee, chai, frozen drinks and ice cream including Pumpkin pie moozie, frozen/blended pumpkin chai, caramel apple butter chai, sea salt caramel pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice white mocha, maple fig fog, pumpkin cream cold brew and, for the four-legged member of the family, pumpkin pup pops.

Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will present its 17th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at a new location, Tampa Premium Outlets, 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, Lutz.

Admission is $5 with kids under 12 admitted for free.

There will be three community stages, live entertainment, a pumpkin patch, trunk or treat, pet costume contest, Lil Miss and Mr. Pumpkin Pageant, more than 50 crafters, photo opps, a petting zoo and "the World's Largest Food Truck Rally" with more than 60 national food trucks and local favorites.

Vendors and sponsors can call 727-674-1464 or email drew@floridapenguinproductions.com to get involved. Businesses can register for the trunk or treat or have a marketing booth all weekend.

Food trucks must contact Generation Food Truck at Gftworldslargestftr@gmail.com.

Pageant participants must preregister by contacting Drew@floridapenguinproductions.com.

Sweetfields Farm, 17250 Roush Road, Masaryktown, will host Fall Maze through a 5-acre corn field Oct. 29-31 and Nov. 6-7.

Additionally, there will be pitcher pump duck races, a hayride, a hay play area, a mini maze, a tree house play area, tumbleweed rollers, jumbo foosball, access to the harvest barn and pumpkin patch, farm animals, free crafts, face painting, and food vendors including kettle corn and fresh-pressed cider.

The cost is $9.75 for ages 3 and up.

Pumpkins, produce, food and drinks, and cannon shots are extra.

Raprager Family Farm, 16907 Boy Scout Road, Odessa, will host its annual Fall Pumpkin Festival through Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Activities include live music, hayrides, farm animals, an 80-foot bounce pillow, a 40-foot hay chute slide, a corn pit, a huge play fort, a greenhouse display, gem mining, pony rides, local food and craft vendors, Raprager's Sweet Shop's fudge and cinnamon-glazed roasted nuts, a haunted barn and a scarecrow contest in which the winner and runner-up will receive $500 and $250.

The cost is $12.50 with ages 2 and younger admitted for free. Click here to purchase tickets.

HorsePower for Kids, 8005 S. Race Track Road, Tampa, will host its 14th annual fall festival fundraiser every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 31.

It includes pony rides, hayrides, farm animals, a bounce house, games, a playground, live music and train rides.

There will be a pumpkin patch with pumpkins to purchase and food vendors.

The cost is $12 for adults and children. Babies age 12 months and under are admitted for free.

Click here for details.

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In addition to trick-or-treating around your neighborhood, there are a number of Halloween activities your child can participate in.

PASCO COUNTY, FL — Little ghosts and ghouls will hit the streets beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

If you plan on trick-or-treating around your neighborhood, remember to stop at houses with lights on and, even better, Halloween decorations lit up and a glowing jack o' lantern, signaling the homeowners are handing out treats.

In their excitement, kids eager to stuff their Halloween sacks might dash across streets without looking. Parents should be extra watchful and drivers extra mindful of young trick-or-treaters.

At nighttime, it's always advisable to carry a flashlight or outfit your kids with Halloween safety flashers or lights available at most stores with Halloween supplies. Make sure the child doesn't wear a mask that will obstruct his or her ability to look around for cars.

And, in this day and age, it's always a good idea for parents to check their child's treats before the kids dig into them.

Parents seeking alternatives to trick-or-treating around the neighborhood have plenty of options in Hillsborough County.

The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce's 17th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival will continue Sunday, Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Tampa Premium Outlets, 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, Lutz.

Admission is $5 with kids under 12 admitted for free.

There will be three community stages, live entertainment, a pumpkin patch, trunk or treat, pet costume contest, Lil Miss and Mr. Pumpkin Pageant, more than 50 crafters, photo opps, a petting zoo and "the World's Largest Food Truck Rally" with more than 60 national food trucks and local favorites.

The Harvest Moon Fun Farm at 15990 Stur St., Masaryktown, will host Haunted Nights featuring haunted trails, a flashlight maze and a haunted barn Sunday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.

The flashlight maze is a non-scary Halloween alternative, inviting young and old alike to make their way through the maze by flashlight at night.Or families can take a walk through the Haunted trail and see if they can escape the swamp and make it to the haunted barn.

Bring your own flashlight. Tickets are $22.95 to $27.95. Click here.5

West Pasco Historical Society, 6431 Circle Blvd., New Port Richey, will be handing out prizes and treats to children Sunday, Oct. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The museum will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. Museum tours are free for members and kids 12 and under accompanied by an adult.

The cost is adults is $3 and students $1.

Busch Gardens Tampa's kid-friendly Halloween festival featuring the always-loveable Sesame Street characters continues Sunday with an expanded trick-or-treat candy trail.

The Sesame Street Safari of Fun includes a limited-time Sesame Street Halloween Show, character meet-and-greets, Halloween dance parties and the return of Elmo's Treehouse Trek.

Children can dress up in their Halloween costumes to enjoy traditional trick-or-treating with a friendly candy crew sharing sweet treats at 10 locations along the expanded candy trail, take in the Not-Too-Spooky Howl-O-Ween Radio Show, show off their best dance moves in the Sesame Street Pavilion at the Halloween dance parties and join their Sesame Street pals at the Sunny Day Theater for a special Halloween story time.

Busch Gardens will have an assortment of reusable bags available for purchase at Sesame Street Safari of Fun and gift shops throughout the park. A Busch Gardens trick-or-treat bag is required for the candy trail.

The Sesame Street Safari of Fun is included in the price of admission to the park. For tickets, click here.

The Glazer Children's Museum, 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, will host a Sensory-Friendly Halloween Spree Sunday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bring your little ghouls and goblins to GCM to enjoy safe, indoor trick-or-treating, and Halloween-themed activities.

Kids can explore the museum with lights and sounds turned down and sensory-adapted tools, special programs and community resources. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. The cost is $5 general admission and no cost for members.

Every year, GCM participates in the Teal Pumpkin Project. Keep an eye out for stations with a teal pumpkin where children will receive non-edible goodies.

The Teal Pumpkin Project is a movement to raise awareness of food allergies and to create a safer, more inclusive Halloween for all trick-or-treaters.

Putting a teal pumpkin on your doorstep will let trick-or-treaters know that your house is food allergy-friendly.

The Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, will host the MOSI Monster Mash Sunday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wear your costume while indoor trick-or-treating throughout the museum and take part in the Hall-O-STEAM activities including mad science shows.

Tickets for a special Halloween space show will be available at Saunders Planetarium.

The event is included with admission tickets. Click here.

Armature Works at 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa, will host a safe trick-or-treating event for kids Sunday, Oct. 31 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Bring your costume-clad little ones for trick-or-treating in the Heights Public Market. Each vendor's stall will be decked out with their best Halloween decorations and they will be passing out candy.

This is a safe, fun and free event for children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Click here.

Armature Works will also have the Pied Piper's Haunted Carnival happening Sunday from 2 to 9 p.m. featuring 200,000 square feet of carnival rides, cotton candy, funnel cakes and elephant ears.

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With Florida’s early growing season now coming to harvest, this is prime time for visiting U-pick farms, the pick-your-own-fruit-and-vegetable patches found in rural areas around Tampa Bay.

You can grab a basket and gather your own strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, vegetables and Florida citrus for a nice family outing that also gets you some healthy food at an affordable price. There are also opportunities to pick more unusual items, from persimmons and chestnuts to star fruit and avocados.

Before heading out, make sure you have some sun protection such as hats, long-sleeved shirts and closed-toed shoes. Bring your own baskets and boxes in case the farm runs out. But most supply their own buckets that are sanitized after every use. Pack lots of water and maybe a picnic lunch.

Check the farm’s Facebook page or website before heading out since most will post updates on what’s available or what has run out.

The Florida Department of Agriculture maintains a list of U-pick farms on its website. Here are some Tampa Bay area favorites.

Keel & Curley Farm, 5202 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City: The farm, which has expansive outdoor seating for its restaurant, has strawberries for picking at $8 per pound. Once strawberry season has ended, which is usually around late March, it transitions to a blueberry U-pick, which typically runs through May. Check the farm’s Facebook page for updates. There is a Strawberry Bash coming up Feb. 26-27 that includes U-pick access (they supply the baskets), and a Blueberry Festival is coming April 8-19 and April 15-16.

Dooley Groves, 1651 Stephens Road, Ruskin: The south Hillsborough farm has more than 1,600 Honeybell trees alone among its large citrus U-pick collection. That variety means you can go more than once during the season, which runs through March, to pick your own Florida citrus. Check their website at dooleygroves.com/upick to see what they have before you go.

Bob’s Berries, 11501 Winn Road, Riverview: Due to COVID-19, U-pickers must make an appointment online before stopping by this organic farm. Go to bobsberriesfl.com and click on appointments. Blueberries will be available in April and blackberries in May. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 813-586-3262.

Starkey Farms, 10730 Lake Blanche Drive, Trinity: The Starkey family has worked this land since 1920 and berries are their jam. Strawberries are there for the taking now and blueberries are coming in April and May, followed by blackberries. Check the farm’s Facebook page for daily updates, as U-pick availability varies.

JG Ranch, 7200 Wiscon Road, Brooksville: This farm offers a variety of U-pick opportunities including strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and fresh vegetables like broccoli and lettuce. Check their Facebook page to see what is available and if they are open before you head out.

Upicktopia, 19125 Phillips Road, No. 6952, Masaryktown: The 56-acre farm and winery in Hernando County offers a variety of veggies, plus strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and more throughout the growing season. Make sure to check their Facebook page before you go to see what’s available.

Hunsader Farms, 5500 County Road 675, Bradenton: This huge operation has a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers available to pick, along with a petting zoo and playground for an added dose of family fun.

A Land of Delight Natural Farm, 2514 Leaning Pine Lane, Plant City: This farm is a family effort that has a nursery for your own home garden, and it also offers free classes on aquaponics and self-sufficiency every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at its Farmers Market.

Welcome to Florida Wonders, a series where readers submit their questions about the Tampa Bay area and Florida and Times journalists find answers.

Reader T. J. Chaltry, 28, wanted to know: What’s the correct way to say Bearss Avenue and other tricky names around town?

Chaltry heard that Bearss is pronounced as if it rhymes with fierce. But not everyone agrees with him.

“I say that and everyone looks at me like I’m illiterate," he said.

There are also other street names that he struggles with — for example, Brorein, which trips up even longtime Tampa residents.

“I say it different every time,” Chaltry said.

We consulted local historians, books and newspaper clips in the Times archives and longtime reporters in our most far-flung bureaus to track down answers.

Here’s how to really say these names — and where they came from in the first place.

Adamo Drive

Where did the name come from? The road that connects Brandon to downtown Tampa is named for Dr. Frank S. Adamo. The Ybor City-born son of Italian immigrants was a surgeon who served as the Hillsborough County medical director until he left to join the Army Medical Corps in 1941.

According to the Times archives, Adamo was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Corregidor and held captive in the Philippines for 2 1/2 years. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for creating a new gangrene treatment while he was still a prisoner. He returned to Tampa after being rescued from Japanese captivity in 1945.

“He came back here and was always just a voice in the medical community here," said Andy Huse, historian and librarian at USF’s special collections.

How do you say it? “Everyone wants to say Adam," Huse said. “Adam-oh.” But the proper Italian pronunciation is actually uh-DAH-mo.

Amalie Arena

Where did the name come from? Formerly known as the Tampa Bay Times Forum and the Ice Palace, the arena’s moniker changed again after Amalie Oil gained naming rights in September 2014.

How do you say it? AM-uh-lee, rhyming with family. Times reporter Christopher Spata wrote a story about the pronunciation of the arena in 2017.

Bearss Avenue

Where did the name come from? The Bearss family were pioneers of the citrus industry in Hillsborough County, according to the Times archives. The family owned a 45-acre orange grove since the 1800s

How do you say it? Even though most people say the word as “bears,” the family pronounces it bierce (rhyming with pierce or fierce).

Brorein

Where did the name come from? Brorein Street, which continues over the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa as the Brorein Bridge, is named after Carl Brorein Sr. He was the son of William G. Brorein, who founded the Peninsular Telephone Co. (now GTE) in 1902. Carl also served as president of the company.

There’s another Brorein aside from the street and bridge —Camp Owen J. Brorein. The Odessa-based Boy Scouts of America camp is the oldest one in the Greater Tampa Bay Council. According to Times archives, the camp is named for a scout who was fatally injured at the camp when “a stump-blasting project misfired.” Owen was the nephew of William Brorein.

How do you say it? Brorein is of the most heavily debated names on the list. One Tampa Reddit user pointed out that even local news anchors say it different ways.

Barbie Alderson, office support specialist for the city of Tampa at Transportation and Stormwater Services, says she and everyone else at the office — which handles the city’s street signs — say bro-REEN. We weren’t able to reach anyone from the Boy Scout camp, but the voicemail message also pronounced it like that. You can sing Brorein to the tune of Dolly Parton’s Jolene to help you remember.

Demens Landing

Where did the name come from? The name honors Peter Demens, a Russian nobleman born as Pyotr Alekseyevich Dementyev. Demens defended the czar as a captain in the Imperial Guard. The story goes that Demens was inspired to come to America after a friend in Paris told him about a wonderful place called Florida, said Rui Farias, executive director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

Demens was in the lumberyard business in Florida, and when the owner of the Orange Belt Railway couldn’t pay off his debt to him, Demens gained ownership of the company. He is credited with extending the line to Pinellas County. The first train arrived in downtown St. Pete on June 8, 1888, carrying just one man.

John Constantine Williams, the richest man in Michigan, owned the land where St. Petersburg was founded. He wanted to call the area Williamsville. But Demens’ railroad brought the growth that allowed the city to grow and become what it is today.

“This is kind of what creates us,” Farias said.

There is a myth that says Williams and Demens flipped a coin on Central Avenue to see who would win naming rights. The story isn’t true, but ultimately the city did become St. Petersburg, after Demen’s hometown. Demens Landing is an homage to him, too.

How do you say it? According to a sign by the landmark, the correct pronunciation is deh-MENS.

“It’s definitely not demon’s landing,” said Farias, who explained that Demens’ original Russian name doesn’t even sound close to the word demon. “I try to correct it one person at a time.”

Dunedin

Where did the name come from? According to “Brief History of Dunedin, Florida 1965," the area was already named Jonesboro. This name came from George L. Jones, who put up a sign bearing that name over his general store in 1877. Two Scottish men, J.O. Douglas and James Summerville, arrived in the area a few years later. They did not like the name Jonesboro, so they asked local leaders if they could add a post office and name it Dunedin. Soon the town itself became known as Dunedin.

Dunedin is the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, where the two men hailed from. There is also a town in New Zealand with the same name.

How do you say it? This name is one of the most likely ones to trip up visitors, who often guess a version of doon-done. According to Dunedin’s website, the correct pronunciation is done-EE-din.

Lutz

Where did the name come from?The Hillsborough town is named for two brothers, C.E. and W. P. Lutz, who helped to bring the railroad to the area.

How do you say it? Loots. According to a Tampa Reddit user, the slogan “Lutz, rhymes with boots,” used to appear on bumper stickers and T-shirts.

Masaryktown

Where did the name come from? This Hernando County town is named after Tomas Masaryk, the founder and first president of Czechoslovakia.

The idea for the name came from Josef Joscak, the editor of a New York-based Czech newspaper. Joscak had written a number of stories encouraging fellow Czechoslovakians to join him in sunny Florida and went on to found the community in 1924.

How do you say it? According to reporters in our Hernando County bureau, the proper pronunciation is muh-ZER-ick-town.

Pinellas

Where did the name come from? The area’s thick wilderness, filled with pine trees, left a mark on the Spanish settlers who came to the area.

“The Spanish called it ‘Punta Pinal,’ or ‘pine point,’ because there were so many pine trees,” Farias said.

Maps from the late 1800s label modern-day Pinellas Point as “Pt. Pinelos.” Eventually, this became Pinellas.

How do you say it? According to the archives, some old timers and longtime residents call it PINE-ellis. Newer imports go with pin-EL-lis.

Thonotosassa

Where did the name come from? Thonotosassa comes from the Seminole-Creek words meaning “flint is there.” The Hillsborough County town shares the name with Thonotosassa Lake, which is near a handful of flint quarries, according to the book Places in the Sun.

How do you say it? Tho-no-ta-SASS-a.

Weeki Wachee

Where did the name come from? The name for this Hernando County river also comes from the Seminoles. It means “little spring.”

How do you say it? WEE-key WAH-chee.

Withlacoochee

Where did the name come from? There are two Florida rivers with this name. The southern one runs through Pasco and Hernando counties. The book Florida Place Names states: “The name is taken from the Creek we, ‘water,’ thlako, ‘big,’ and chee, ‘little,’ or little big water."

How do you say it? with-la-KOO-chee.

Wimauma

Where did the name come from? The town in Hillsborough County is named after a mashup by the first local postmaster. In 1903, Captain C.H. Davis created the word by combining letters from the names of his three daughters — Wi from Wilma (who also went by Willie), mau from Maude and ma from Mary.

How do you say it? WHY-mama.

Ybor

Where did the name come from? Ybor City is named for the man who founded it, Vicente Martinez-Ybor. The Spaniard was also responsible for bringing the first cigar factory to the area in 1885. By the time the industry reached its peak in Tampa during the 1920s, there were about 200 cigar factories in the area.

According to Times archives, Ybor founded the first brewery in Florida. The 200th anniversary of his birth was in September 2018.

How do you say it? Eee-bore.

How do people around town usually say these names? We took to the streets to find out:

What questions do you have about the Tampa Bay area or Florida? Fill out the form below or email your inquiries to floridawonders@tampabay.com.

Need inspiration? Here’s what other readers were curious about:

TAMPA, Fla. — Fall doesn't feel like, well, fall in Florida. But that doesn't mean we have to miss out on all the fun!

While the temperatures might be bringing the heat we've tracked down seven pumpkin patches that are sure to give you fall vibes.

The best part? Most patches offer more than just pumpkins. Some have hayrides, sweet treats, photo spots and more.

So, grab your friends and head on out to whichever spot piques your interest (you can probably leave your flannels at home.)

Ever want to step into a pumpkin house? Well, now's your chance. Gallagher's Pumpkins and Christmas Trees offers several photo-ops in addition to a wide selection. The locally owned business also has food and drinks, a petting zoo, a bounce house and live music on the weekend.

Dates & Hours: Daily from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (pumpkin patch is seasonal)

Cost: Varies based on purchase.

The self-described "Pumpkin HQ" is offering a selection in every shape and size. On the weekend, you can take part in a corn maze, dummy steer roping, a gigantic slingshot and pony rides during your visit

Dates & Hours:

Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

* Runs until Oct. 24

Admission: Up to $11 per person + tax and fees, children under 2 years old are free.

The area's pop-up pumpkin patch is back! And all the proceeds from the patch go to benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

Dates & Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

* Runs until Oct. 31

Cost: Varies based on purchase.

If you're looking for more than just pumpkins, Sweetfields Farm also offers a corn maze, hayrides and pumpkin bowling among other fall festive activities. You will need to buy tickets in advance to attend.

Dates & Hours: Runs until Nov. 7. Hours vary based on your ticket time slot.

Admission: $9.75 per person + tax and fees, children under 2 years old are free.

It's back! Stop by the pier's Family Park to take your pick from the waterfront park's patch. Did we also mention the amazing views?

Dates & Hours: Dates and times vary from Oct. 9 - Oct. 17

Cost: Varies based on purchase.

Immerse yourself in pumpkins galore at the farm's Fall Pumpkin Festival. Guests can also enjoy hayrides, a petting zoo, a corn pit and bounce pillow.

Dates & Hours:

Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Admission: $12.50 per person, children under 2 years old are free. Parking is $3.

The 30th annual festival has just a little bit of it all. From train rides to a barnyard playground there's enough to keep the kids (and kids at heart) busy.

Dates & Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on select weekends until Oct. 31.

Admission: $12 per person, children 10 and under are free. Parking is $5.

* The event is cash only.