13 Things To Bookmark on Your Calendar This Spring: Free Festivals, Fundraisers and Famous Folks

Whoever said that 13 is an unlucky number has never been to Carrollwood or Northdale.

Below, we've compiled a list of 13 events that you can bookmark on your calendars for spring. We found everything from clothing swaps to toddler Olympics to fundraisers.

Check it out:

• March 19: Want a local taste of March Madness? "Hoops for Soup" will be held from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Gordon Food Service, 11511 N. Dale Mabry Highway. The event will raise money for a local charity that helps feed needy families.
• March 19: The water park opens at the YMCA's Youth and Family Center! The park will be open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. Go to the YMCA's website for more information.
• March 23: A health and wellness fair will be held at Shapes in Carrollwood, 14608 N. Dale Mabry Highway, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
• March 23: The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring "Coffee Connection" from 7:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. at Horizon Bay Senior Living, 414 Chapman Road East in Lutz. The event is open to the public. Refreshments are available. RSVP by March 18 by calling 813-909-9679. Find out more about the chamber's events here.
• March 23: The Carrollwood Area Business Association's bi-monthly coffee networking event will be held at Fitness-Tek in Odessa. Go here for more information.
• March 24: At 6 p.m., a public meeting regarding speed humps in Old Carrollwood will be held at Carrollwood Elementary School, 3516 McFarland Road.
• March 25: Comedian, actor and radio show host Steve Harvey will be signing his new book at Barnes & Noble in Carrollwood, 11802 N. Dale Mabry Highway, at 6 p.m.
• March 26: "Breakfast with the Stars" will be held at Forest Hills Recreation Center, 724 109th Avenue. All proceeds will benefit the March of Dimes, and tickets are $5 per adult and $3 per child aged 2-8. Call 813-274-7725 or 813-931-2105 for more information.
• March 26 and 27: The Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road, is hosting "Arts in the Park" until 5 p.m. on both days.
• March 29: the "Tiny Tot Olympics" will be held at Lettuce Lake Park from 10 a.m. until noon, 6920 Fletcher Avenue.
• April 2: The Hillsborough County Neighborhoods Conference will be held at the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough County Community College.
• April 9: The Northdale Civic Association, Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation department and Northdale Park will present the
• April 16: Working Women of Tampa Bay will host their first annual spring swap meet at the Original Carrollwood Recreation Center, 3515 McFarland Road, from noon until 4 p.m. The event is free for members, $5 for non-members. Bring a bag of gently used clothes and accessories to swap. Leftover items will be donated to The Salvation Army. Register online at www.workingwomenoftampabay.com.

Heard about other events you want to let us know about? E-mail us at camille.spencer@patch.com.