TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Downtown Partnership is ready to shamrock and roll with its largest River O’ Green event yet!
Presented by Grow Financial, this year’s Irish-themed celebration will transform Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on Saturday, March 16, turning the Hillsborough River green and Downtown Tampa into St. Paddy’s Day party central.
The free, family-friendly festival also includes food vendors, a wide variety of beers, a pet costume contest, and plenty of fun activities. River O’ Green runs from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the Rough Riders’ St. Patrick’s Parade kicking off at 5:00 p.m.
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Many River O’ Green favorites are also returning. Catch “hurling” demonstrations—a rowdy Irish mix of hockey, baseball, and football—throughout the day from Tampa Bay GAA Irish Hurling Club. Freedom Boat Club is once again offering free boat rides along the Hillsborough River, which will be colored emerald green with a non-toxic green dye. A limited number of seats will be available for potential members; visit the boat club’s booth for details.
“This annual tradition brings our community together and adds to the buzz of energy that’s running throughout Downtown’s neighborhoods right now,” said Shaun Drinkard, Interim President of the Tampa Downtown Partnership. “We’re thrilled to have the Rough Riders’ St. Patrick’s Parade march through the heart of Downtown for the first time. These complementing events will provide even more reason for families to get their green on and make new memories in Tampa’s Downtown.”
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NEW THIS YEAR
🍀 Irish revelers will be treated to more entertainment than ever before, with the addition of a new, second stage for extra performances.
🍀 The Tampa Rough Riders are bringing their signature St. Patrick’s Parade to the streets of Downtown Tampa to coincide with River O’ Green.
🍀The area near Four Green Fields pub will become an art walk, showcasing some of Tampa’s most talented artists with Irish connections.
🍀Add to that a cabbage toss game, Lucky Charms eating contest, and the chance to win Busch Gardens tickets!
ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
Main Stage (Near Ashley Drive)
🍀11:15AM-12:45PM – Paddy O’Furniture Band Performance
🍀1:15PM-2:45PM – TBD
🍀4:00PM-5:00PM – Phoenix Five Band Performance
Terrace Stage (Near Gasparilla Plaza)
🍀11:30AM – TBD
🍀1:00PM –Finnegan Irish Dance Academy Performance
🍀2:30PM – TBD
🍀3:00PM – Finnegan Irish Dance Academy Performance
🍀3:30PM – Pet Costume Contest sponsored by the Barrymore Hotel
TRANSFORMING THE RIVER
- At 11:00 a.m., Tampa Mayor Jane Castor will sound the horn to start the process of dyeing the Hillsborough River green.
- The dye is non-toxic, safe for the environment, biodegradable, and certified to meet National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Standard 60 for use in and around drinking water.
- The Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission (HCEPC) examined the dye and approved it for use as part of the River O’ Green event.
PARKING
- Please be advised the closest parking option to the event, William F. Poe Garage (800 N. Ashley Dr.), will fill quickly. Fort Brooke Garage (107 N. Franklin St.) and parking in Ybor City are great alternatives as attendees can walk the beautiful Tampa Riverwalk to the event or take the free TECO Line streetcar. DASH Tampa will also be running throughout the event with the nearest hub pickup and drop off location right in front of The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk (111 W. Fortune St.). HART’s new streamlined bus network, bike path routes, complete sidewalk network, water taxi, taxi, e-scooter, and/or rideshare (Uber/Lyft) are also all great options.
- With the addition of the Rough Riders’ St. Patrick’s parade moving Downtown, City of Tampa road closures will go into effect around 2 p.m. and should be considered when deciding where to park. You can find the official parade route here.
River O’ Green 2024 is brought to you by the Tampa Downtown Partnership, Grow Financial, TECO, Freedom Boat Club, The Barrymore Hotel, Busch Gardens, and Kuducom.
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