ICYMI: Garrison Channel to Flow 'Bolts' Blue' Saturday

Tampa does it better than Chicago.

That’s according to Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who is throwing down the gauntlet to Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel in time for the Stanley Cup Finals.

While it’s up to the Tampa Bay Lightning to prove Buckhorn’s assertion on the ice, city workers are taking care of doing so on water. In honor of the home team’s continued success in the run for the cup, the Garrison Channel will flow “Bolts Blue” on Saturday.

“Tampa does a better job dyeing our river green for St. Patrick’s Day than Chicago does,” Buckhorn was quoted in a media release as saying. “We want to show Blackhawks fans how it’s done, and what better way to do that than dyeing the channel ‘Bolts Blue’ outside the Amalie Arena?”

The dye job will begin around 5 p.m. Saturday with the same Tampa Water and Stormwater Department crews who do the honors for St. Patrick’s Day at the controls.

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The Lightning is picking up the costs associated with the dye job, including paying for the non-toxic, water-grade dye that will add a little Bolts’ color to the channel, which is bound by the Harbour Island and Beneficial bridges.

Buckhorn’s so confident in Tampa’s team he’s also placed a friendly wager with Emanuel. Should the Lightning bring the Stanley Cup back to town in time for a summer tan, Emanuel will have to send Buckhorn some pizza and cheesecake. If the Blackhawks prevail, Buckhorn plans to send a case of Cigar City Invasion Pale Ale and 122 mini Cuban sandwiches to Emanuel along with a sampling of the Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 Salad.

Buckhorn, however, says he’s confident those goodies will remain in Tampa.

“My staff is already looking forward to enjoying Chicago pizza and cheesecake,” he said.

Saturday’s game two is set to begin at 7:15 p.m.

Photo from the City of Tampa