College football fans, foodies and country music lovers will find common ground when they all convene in downtown Tampa on Saturday, Oct. 6, for one of the area’s signature events, Tampa Bay's Tailgate Taste Fest.
Get ready to cheer for top college football teams whose play action will be broadcast on two large LED screens set up in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. This is a tailgating-themed event, so of course there will be lots of tasty food from some of the area’s top dining hotspots.
And then to keep the party going, there are concerts by rising stars on the country music scene. Bring chairs, blankets, appetites and plenty of friends to soak up the sun and enjoy all of the fun from 3 - 10:30 p.m.
Admission is free but food and drinks consumed on-site must be purchased at the event. You’ll need an official food sample wristband to buy five to 10 bites. Score a discounted band for $25 that’s good for five food items or $35 for 10 now through Oct. 5! Otherwise you’ll need to open the wallet wider and fish out a few more bucks to pay $30 at the door the day of the event for five and $40 for 10 tasty selections.
Or go for the VIT (Very Important Tailgater) wristband that entitles you to one sample from every participating restaurant plus access to the covered VIT Lounge that offers prime views of the stage and screens and all of the water, soda, beer, wine and liquor you can consume.
Want to know what’s cooking? Well, here’s who’s cooking, to name a few. Little Donut House, Sonny’s BBQ, American Social, Grillsmith, Metro Diner, PDQ, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Harpoon Harry’s Crab House and Nothing Bundt Cakes. Hungry yet?
This family and pet friendly event features live music, a competitive cornhole tournament and, new to the festivities this year, an interactive area where adults can be kids and kids can show the adults how to have fun!
Check out the Fan Zone, where there will be free samples courtesy of Sprouts Farmers Market, Coca-Cola Florida and Kiolbassa Smoked Meats, an NCAA Women’s Final Four Trophy Story Photo Op, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Kids Zone, Tampa Bay Lightning Rolling Thunder and Polar Pod Mobile Cooling Stations where everyone can beat the heat by relaxing within the low temperature, low humidity confines of these fully enclosed pods. Chill at will!
Headlining the musical entertainment are Craig Campbell and Jimmie Allen, two of Nashville’s newest stars, but make sure to check out the sets by Skyler Clark and Randy McNeeley as well.
In addition to a successful music career, Campbell hosts an annual Celebrity Cornhole Challenge in Nashville to raise money for the fight against colorectal cancer, which claimed the musician’s father at a young age. You may want not want to compete against him at cornhole while he's here in Tampa. Just saying.
Singer-songwriter Allen has carved out a reputation for a cutting-edge mix of country, rock, R&B and pop so he's sure to please just about everyone.
Folks, this event is all about fun, great food, exciting football and music that will get you on your feet so get out, get ready to cheer, sample an ample amount and get your feet ready for some fancy footwork when you take the chance to stand up and dance.
Kudos to the Event Development Institute and Tampa Bay Sports Commission for combining forces to create a great way to bring folks together outdoors, celebrate the area’s thriving dining scene and add some kick ass country music to boot to the mix!
Want to find other fun events coming to Tampa Bay? Simply register at 813area or 727area. It's easy and free!
