River O' Green Fest In Tampa Rescheduled For Friday Due To Weather

TAMPA, FL — Due to predictions of stormy weather on Saturday, the Tampa Downtown Partnership and city of Tampa announced the River O’ Green Fest, presented by Grow Financial, has been rescheduled for this Friday, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day.

The free festival will now take over Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m on Friday.

“The safety of all our guests and vendors is of the utmost importance,” said Tampa Downtown Partnership President and CEO Lynda Remund. “With storms in the forecast on Saturday, we decided it was in everyone’s best interest to reschedule. The blessing in disguise is now we get to host the River O’ Green Fest on St. Paddy’s Day. We haven’t had the event on the actual holiday since 2018. It’ll be a great way for families to kick off the weekend and wrap up spring break.”

Related: Tampa's Ranked Among Top 20 Cities For St. Pat's Day Celebrations

The River O’ Green Fest will feature kids' activities, food trucks, a pet costume contest sponsored by the Barrymore Hotel, beer and and hurling demonstrations, a wild Irish mix of hockey, baseball and football. New this year, Freedom Boat Club will be offering free rides along the Hillsborough River, which will be dyed emerald green. Click here for information on the boat rides.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor will sound the horn at 4 p.m. to start the process of dyeing the Hillsborough River green. The dye is non-toxic, biodegradable and certified by the National Sanitation Foundation Standard 60 for use in and around drinking water. The Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission examined the dye and approved it for use as part of the River O’ Green event.

Here's the updated schedule of events:

• At 4 p.m., Tampa Mayor Jane Castor will sound the horn to start the process of dyeing the Hillsborough River green.
• 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Hurling demonstrations by DSM Sports Marketing Inc.
• 7 p.m. – Pet costume contest sponsored by Barrymore Hotel .