County to Host Lunch and Concert Party

Starting Friday, May 10, Joe Chillura Courthouse Square in downtown Tampa will transform into an Eat at Joe’s lunch and concert party.

Downtown workers and residents will hear great music, eat some wonderful food and enjoy the beautiful outdoors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on every second Friday of the month throughout the summer.

Kicking off the first Eat at Joe’s event will be the cool steel drum sounds of Johnny Lowery. A graduate of King High School, Lowery has played in the Marine Corps Show Band and at Busch Gardens, Disney and Universal. Today, he performs with the Tampa Bay Steel Orchestra and the Hammerhead Steel Band, as well as corporate events, parties and weddings.

There are two different food vendors highlighted at this first lunch and concert series. NatePaul's Q4U will offer barbecue to purchase; LaPetite France will offer crepes to purchase. Other downtown eateries are being asked to prepare grab-and-go lunches. 

Making a special appearance at the inaugural Eat at Joe’s, is none other than the park’s namesake, former County Commissioner Joe Chillura.

There isn’t a better way to break up the work day and end a long work week than by attending a relaxing outdoor event that showcases our local talent and eateries. 

Eat at Joe’s was Commissioner Al Higginbotham’s idea to bring more attention and use to the county’s downtown park. The summer-long event is a partnership among the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department; the Arts Council of Hillsborough County; the City of Tampa; and the Tampa Downtown Partnership.