The Annual Keel Farms
Blueberry Festival Returns
Every Weekend in April!
The 18th Annual Keel Farms Blueberry Festival kicks off Tampa Bay’s Spring Season with a month-long celebration of Florida’s Blueberry Harvest. Every Saturday and Sunday in April, starting Saturday, April 4 (Closed for Easter Sunday, April 5). The festival will be open 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This family and pet-friendly weekend event will feature u-pick blueberries, local craft vendors and food trucks, bounce houses and a kids’ zone, camel rides, a petting zoo, blueberry shortcake eating competitions, games, and special blueberry releases by Keel & Curley Winery and Keel Farms Agrarian Cider.
Blueberry U-Pick: Offered each day of the festival while supplies last and weather permits. Harvested pre-packaged blueberries will also be available for purchase by the pound. Buckets are included for U-Pick.
Keel Farms is located at 5202 Thonotosassa Rd. Admission is free and parking is $10.
Future Career Academy
Hiring Events Mark Final Step
in Students’ Yearlong Journey
to the Workforce
After a year spent exploring career pathways and preparing through professional development lessons, including elevator pitches, resume building, and mock interviews, thousands of Hillsborough County Public Schools seniors will take the final step in their Future Career Academy (FCA) journey this April, meeting face-to-face with employers ready to hire.
Six large-scale hiring events taking place April 2 – 23 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. across Hillsborough County will serve as the capstone experience for students enrolled in the Future Career Academy curriculum, a program designed by Florida-based nonprofit Workforce Development Partners (WDP) to help high school seniors transition directly from the classroom into the workforce, job training programs, and continued education.
Throughout the school year, FCA students complete career readiness lessons that include resume development, mock interviews, professional communication, and workplace expectations. The April hiring events are designed to put those skills into action with real employers.
“These events represent the culmination of everything our students have worked toward this year,” said Van Ayres, superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools. “Future Career Academy prepares students with real-world skills, and these hiring events give them the opportunity to apply those skills in front of employers who are looking for the next generation of talent. This is a recipe for post-graduation success.”
Each event will feature more than 50 local employers and training organizations from 16 industries, including healthcare, construction, retail, manufacturing, and technology, offering on-the-spot interviews, internships, and entry-level positions. Recruiters from the Armed Forces will also be on-site. Participating organizations include AdventHealth, BayCare Health System, Florida Army National Guard, HCA Florida Healthcare, Hillsborough College, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Hillsborough Technical Colleges, JPMorgan Chase, The Mosaic Company, Regions Bank, Tampa General Hospital, TECO, and The U.S. Army.
Future Career Academy has opened many students’ eyes to opportunities they didn’t know existed.
“College isn’t the only option after graduating,” said a Chamberlain High School alumnus. “There are entry-level positions and apprenticeships that not only prepare us for a desired career but also pay reasonably.”
Employers say the partnership with FCA and the school district helps them connect with motivated young talent while supporting the region’s workforce pipeline.
“The impact of this program can be seen in the lives they’ve helped change. Students who may have once felt overlooked are now stepping into meaningful careers, trade programs, or internships with direction and confidence,” said Candace Harrell, executive vice president at Patterson Companies. “On a broader level, local businesses are benefiting from a more prepared, motivated, and informed talent pipeline. This program isn’t just helping students, it’s helping employers find local candidates who are ready to work, understand expectations, and bring a sense of purpose with them.”
While the events serve as a final step in the Future Career Academy experience for seniors, organizers emphasize they are also designed to benefit the wider community.
“Future Career Academy is about making sure every student leaves high school with a clear, actionable plan forward, to employment, enrollment, enlistment, or entrepreneurship,” said WDP Board Chair Rick Lott. “By the time they arrive at these hiring events, they’ve spent months preparing. This is their moment to step into the professional world.”
• April 2, 2026: East Tampa – TPepin’s Hospitality Centre
• April 8, 2026: Central & South Tampa – Tampa Convention Center
• April 9, 2026: NW & NE Hillsborough – Tampa Convention Center
• April 15, 2026: South Hillsborough – The HCC Regent
• April 16, 2026: East Hillsborough – The HCC Regent
• April 23, 2026: Plant City – HCC Trinkle Center
For more information about the Future Career Academy hiring events, see the contact information below.
