Danielle Thompson, of Tarpon Springs, displays her tropical sea sponges during opening day of the Corey Ave. Market on St. Pete Beach Sunday, October 2. “My husband dives for all the sea sponges we use,” said Thompson. “The way we remove the sponges is done sustainably by cutting the sponges off so they can grow back, similarly to trimming hedges in the yard.” Some of the sponges are encased in different varieties of hand-crafted soap, which reveals more of the sponges as they are used.

It’s finally October. Temperatures are (slightly) cooler, northern visitors will soon start arriving – and the local outdoor markets are now open. While some, like Gulfport’s Tuesday Fresh Market, remain open year-round, most are seasonal, closing in late spring and reopening the first week in October.

There is a variety of markets from which to choose, each with its own unique vibe and offerings that range from fine art to produce, with plenty of food and drink to enjoy while shopping. Some markets feature live entertainment and most are pet friendly.

See the listings below to plan your visit.

Gulfport

Tuesday Fresh Market

Location: Gulfport Waterfront District, Beach Blvd.

Hours: Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

gulfportma.com/gma-events/tuesday-fresh-market

Tangerine Greenway Market

Location: Tangerine Greenway at 49th St. S. and Tangerine Ave. S.

Hours: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

sotangerine.com

Indian Shores

Indian Shores Sunday Market