Festival To Raise Funds To Refurbish Sulphur Springs Tower

SULPHUR SPRINGS, FL — A distinctive white water tower that has loomed over the Tampa neighborhood of Sulphur Springs for nearly a century will be the focus of a music festival organized to raise money to restore the landmark structure.

The River Tower Festival is billed as an all-day family event. It will take place in the 12-acre River Tower Park surrounding the water tower at 401 E. Bird St., on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Organizers have brought together 10 bands and seven disc jockeys to provide entertainment throughout the day. There will also be food trucks, art vendors, activities for kids, and beer and wine for sale.

The music lineup includes:

• noon to 12:30 p.m. - Rondeau
• 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. - Chant the Trees
• 1:45 to 2:15 p.m. - Discord Theory
• 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. - Mountain Holler
• 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. - Este Love
• 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. - Mike Mass
• 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. - Crownz
• 7 to 8:15 p.m. - The Sh-Booms
• 8:30 to 10 p.m. - Have Gun, Will Travel

On the DJ stage will be:

• 3 to 4 p.m. - Footsouljahs
• 4 to 5 p.m. - Dr. Skoot and Kle-Cha
• 5 to 6 p.m. - Pope John
• 6 to 7:15 p.m. - Juicy Junglist
• 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. - Suzy Solar
• 8:30 to 10 p.m. - Baker Acted

Providing entertainment on the lawn will be magician Cory Van Valin, balloon artist Hugo Morley and a drum circle from noon to 3 p.m.

According to Keith Malson, a member of Preserve Our Tower and owner of the Sulphur Springs Sandwich Shop at 9000 N. Florida Ave., the grassroots effort is aimed at not only restoring the historic water tower but also restoring the community's reputation.

The Sulphur Springs water tower was constructed in 1928.

During the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, Sulphur Springs was a well-known resort community. People from around the world would visit the community to take in the reputed healing properties of the mineral water springs that bubbled up from artesian wells.

A hotel, shopping arcade, spring water pool and bath house, Ferris wheel, dance hall and botanical gardens with a picturesque gazebo followed the discovery of the springs. Later a gator farm, greyhound racing track and drive-in move theater were added.

Little remains of the tourist attraction today except the water tower, a 214-foot-tall structure built to resemble a lighthouse. In fact, at one time the observation lookout at the top of the tower contained a beacon light used to warn aircraft rather than ships.

It was constructed in 1928 by Josiah Richardson, developer of the arcade and hotel, to supply drinking water to the community.

When the springs became contaminated and closed, Sulphur Springs experienced several decades of urban blight. Likewise, the old water tower was boarded up and began to deteriorate along with the community surrounding it.

Now, Preserve Our Tower hopes to give the tower a facelift and, in the process, boost the community's identity and pride.

Malson said the group hopes to raise $80,000 to $100,000 to paint and refurbish the crumbling concrete on the tower. He said the organization has already raised about $35,000 toward the project.

The effort goes hand in hand with revitalization efforts taking place throughout Sulphur Springs. Like the revival that has taken place in Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights over the past two decades, residents seeking an urban lifestyle are purchasing and renovating Sulphur Springs' iconic 1920s bungalows.

Tickets for the festival is $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the event. Those attending are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets, but coolers, food, drinks and pets are prohibited.