Parties, picnics and things to do on Labor Day weekend in Tampa Bay

Labor Day honors the American labor movement and contributions workers and the military have made to strengthen our country. It also marks the end of summer. Many people will be off for a long holiday, so we found a few holiday-related activities to keep you busy.

Labor Day Live Beach House

Three days of waterfront parties with EDM music by DJ's 3LAU, Borgeous, Grandtheft, Henry Fong, Prince Fox, Quix, Riggi and Piros, Sultan + Shepard, SNBRN, Two Friends, Vice Tone, Lodato, Loosid, Ben Phipps and Ku. $25 and up. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday, 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday, noon-1 a.m. Sunday. Shephard's Beach Resort, 619 S Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach. (727) 441-6875.

Gecko Fest

This whimsical "Gecko Con" Labor Day weekend street festival celebrates superheroes, villains and cult characters from comics, books, movies, TV shows, anime and other pop culture. Includes more than 150 vendors, food booths, street performers, live music and a walking parade anyone can join at 6 p.m. Costumes are strongly encouraged. Free. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday. Along Beach Boulevard, Gulfport. (727) 322-5217. geckofest.com.

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Labor Day Weekend Sandbar Concert

The only way to get to this annual concert is by boat. Bring chairs, coolers, even the dog, and wade in the water while you listen to live music from a pontoon boat stage anchored in the channel off Tanglewood Way. Performers include Jimmy Shelton, Vic Sherman and the Chicago Express, Hal Hammer Jr. and the Cross Creek Blues Band and Ken Keller with Red Hawk. Free. Noon-5:30 p.m. Sunday. "P" Channel (adjacent to), 2189 Tanglewood Way NE, St. Petersburg. (727) 361-5000.

Temple Terrace Labor Day Celebration

Celebrate the end of summer with a day in the park, children's activities and bounce houses, a fireworks display and a lineup of food trucks. Live entertainment featuring the Southern Creek Band will start at 6 p.m. Saturday, with a special performance by the King High School Drumline at 7 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Free. Woodmont Park, 415 Woodmont Ave., Temple Terrace.

Hotel Zamora Labor Day Pool Party

Wear white for the last of summer at this party and get your first drink free. With music and video by DJ Jay Tee. Reserve tables or bottle service via the hotel's Facebook page. Hotel Zamora, 3701 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. (855) 926-6721. 1-6 p.m. Monday.

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Labor Day Sponge Docks Arts and Crafts Festival

Stroll the Sponge Docks and browse among the arts and crafts from more than 90 vendors from across the country. Free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday. Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks, 20 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs. (727) 776-7261.

Celebrate Oldsmar

Bring blankets and chairs for two nights of a Labor Day salute and family fun with carnival rides, games, live music by Stormbringer (Friday) and Soul Circus Cowboys (Saturday) and fireworks (Saturday). Food, beer and wine available for purchase. Free (rides additional). 5-9:30 p.m. Friday, noon-9 p.m. Saturday. R.E. Olds Park, 107 Shore Drive W, Oldsmar. (813) 749-1260.

End of Summer Party

Paul's Landing at the Vinoy Renaissance in St. Petersburg is having a party Friday with a free screening of the classic 1959 comedy Some Like It Hot (food/drink additional). The party also celebrates the release of spirits developed with Old St. Pete Distillery. Signature drinks for sale include a Citrus Needy and Cucumber Coolers. 7:30 p.m. Friday. 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg.

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Labor Day Pool Party

LGBTQ and friends can jump in the pool at this party with DJ dancing on the pool deck and drink specials. No cover. 2-9 p.m. Monday. Flamingo Resort, 4601 34th St. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 321-5000.

Labor Day Weekend at the Gardens

Take the family for one last summer hurrah. Children ages 4 to 16 get in for $6.50 this weekend. All others: $17.99, $16.99 seniors, 3 and younger free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Monday. Sarasota Jungle Gardens, 3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. (941) 355-5305.

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Poolside Holiday Picnic

Pack a picnic basket and bring the family for a poolside Labor Day party. $23, $12 with card (group of up to five). 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday. Highland Recreation Complex and Family Aquatic Center, 400 Highland Ave. NE, Largo. (727) 518-3016.

Tampa Bay Dance Club Dance

Ages 45 and older are invited to dress in red, white and blue and bring a dish to share for a Labor Day party with dancing to live music by On Our Own with Mario and Albi. $12, $10 members. 7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday. Tampa Bay Dance Club, 5601 Hanley Road, Tampa. (813) 390-7160.

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Blue Star Museum Military Promotion

The Tampa Bay History Center offers active duty military personnel and their families free admission from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Others: $14.95, $12.95 seniors/students, $10.95 ages 7-17, 6 and younger free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today-Monday. 801 Old Water St., Tampa. (813) 228-0097.

Superheroes After Dark

Dress in costume and join your superhero friends for a Labor Day glow party with glow giveaways, interactive characters, blacklight go-go dancers, dancing to music by DJ Barry Harris, $1 drinks from 9 to 10 p.m. and $3 Svedka drinks from 9 to 11 p.m. Free, $5 after 10 p.m. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Sunday. The Honey Pot, 1507 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. (813) 247-4663.

Pebble Creek Golf Scramble

A two-person scramble in which teams select which six holes they want to play from. Includes on course contests, raffles, drink specials and a holiday barbecue buffet. $45, $25 members. 8:30 a.m. Monday. Pebble Creek Golf Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive, Tampa. (813) 973-3870.

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Get Crabby For a Cause

Crabby Bill's is holding a barbecue to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A $15 ticket gets a menu of chicken, pulled pork, ribs, coleslaw, baked bean and corn bread. $15; $18 at the door. Crabby Bill's, 401 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach. (727) 595-4825. 4-9 p.m. Saturday.

Ladies Day at Hamburger Mary's

Musical performances by the Cheaters and Deb Hunseder of Halcyon. $10. 4 p.m. Sunday. 2016 Town Center Blvd., Brandon. (813) 643-2110.

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