Tampa RiverFest 2017: What to Know Before You Go

TAMPA, FL – For the third year in a row, the Tampa Riverwalk will spend a weekend celebrating all things Tampa, from music to food to the arts.

RiverFest 2017, presented by Friends of the Riverwalk with support from the City of Tampa, is a free showcase event that highlights the area’s restaurants, local musicians and cultural institutions. The event is also a major fundraiser for Friends of the Riverwalk.

Here’s what area residents and visitors need to know before you go to RiverFest 2017:

Dates and Times

RiverFest 2017 is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location and Directions

The various parks and entertainment areas around the Tampa Riverwalk are the backdrop for RiverFest. The Tampa Riverwalk is located along the Hillsborough River and the Channelside area of downtown Tampa.

The RiverWalk extends for 2.4 miles along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. All municipal parking lots and garages are available for parking. The trolley will also be available from the Ybor City parking garage.

• From locations south (Brandon, southern Hillsborough County, Bradenton, Sarasota): Take I-75 to the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, to Exit 7, and head west on Brorein.
• From locations north (Ocala, Land O’ Lakes): Take I-75 to I-275. Take Exit 45A (Downtown East) and bear right.
• From locations east (Lakeland, Orlando): Take I-4 to I-275. Take Exit 45A (Downtown East) and bear right.
• From south Pinellas County: Take I-275 to Exit 44A (Downtown West) and bear right.
• From north Pinellas County: Take Courtney Campbell Causeway to I-275. Take Exit 44 (Downtown West) and bear right.

VIP Tickets

Single-day VIP tickets are available for $60 before the event and $75 on the day of the event. Tickets include admission to the VIP Hospitality Tent form 4 to 10 p.m. Food will be available from 4 to 8 p.m. with last call for alcohol at 9:30. The tent features complimentary beer, Tiot’s vodka drinks and food plus front-row access to stages. To purchase tickets online, visit http://www.thetampariverwalk.com/activities/riverfest-2017/vip-tickets.aspx.

Riverfest 2017 Events

Six of the Tampa Riverwalk parks will host events during RiverFest 2017:

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

• Hot Dog Festival, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  
  • Weiner Dog Derby, benefiting Florida Dachshund Rescue, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Best of Tampa Bay Hot Dog Competition; ticketholders receive several samples of hot dogs with audience voting, 4 to 8 p.m.
  • The Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest Qualifier, 7 p.m.
• RiverFest Concert, featuring local and regional bands, Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.
• Hot Air Balloon Glow, Saturday from 8:30 to 9 p.m.
• Music Festival in the Park, Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.
• The Florida Orchestra Free Pops in the Park Concert, 7:30 p.m.

Note: The annual fireworks display has been canceled because of the burn ban extension for Hillsborough County.

MacDill Park

• Hillsborough County Schools Stage featuring student performances, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Plank pop-up bar, roaming food vendors and live art, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Live band performances, Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.
• The Plank pop-up bar, roaming food vendors and live art, Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Tampa Convention Center & Sail Pavilion

• Live music at the Sail Pavilion, Pirate Water Taxi, Eboats, Tampa Water Bikes, paddle boards and more; Saturday and Sunday

Cotanchobee Park

• Asia Fest, Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Water Works Park

• Gasparilla Stand-Up Paddleboard Invasion, Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Live music on Ulele Terrace featuring the Lint Rollers and Coo Coo Ca Choo, Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Straz Center for the Performing Arts

• Kids of Imagination Play Area, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Secret Walls Graffiti War Competition, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.

Main Stage Entertainment

The following acts will perform on the main stage in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park during RiverFest 2017:

Saturday, May 6

• 12:30 p.m. – Unique
• 2:15 p.m. – G.W. Souther
• 4 p.m. – Come back Alice
• 5:30 p.m. – Soul Circus Cowboys
• 8:30 p.m. – The Spazmatics

Sunday, May 7

• 1 p.m. – Betty Fox Band
• 2:30 p.m. – Reverend Barry and the Funktastic Soul
• 4:14 p.m. – The Black Honkeys
• 5:45 p.m. – Phase 5
• 7:30 p.m. – The Florida Orchestra

DJ Fresh will perform both days between bands.

For more information on RiverFest 2017, visit http://www.thetampariverwalk.com/activities/riverfest-2017.aspx.

Image via City of Tampa Government Facebook page