For the seventh year in a row the Hillsborough River was turned green for the mayor's River o" Green Fest. Yes, my friend, it's that green!
Tampa celebrates St. Patty's day by dying the river green
Tampa loves a good reason to party, and St. Patrick's Day is as good as any. Back in 2012 Mayor Bob Buckhorn hosted the first annual River O'Green Festival declaring "Here's what you get when you elect an Irishman as mayor". For the seventh year in a row the Hillsborough River was dyed green to celebrate the Feast of Saint Patrick.
In the beginning much of the focus of the celebration was on food trucks and the river (and beer). Since that time it has expanded to events including a 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk (which included a Vintage-style Mayor Bob Buckhorn “Mayor’s River O’ Green” t-shirt if you got an early), a Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt, and still lots of beer. But, the star here is still that bright green water. I've had people challenge the authenticity of my photographs thinking that they may be doctored. No my friend, it really is that green.
Before starting the event with his trusty air horn, Mayor Bob Buckhorn Honors an veteran during the River O'Green.
Thousands of people lined the Tampa Riverwalk to watch the transformation of the Hillsborough River from its usual brown to bright green.
Two boats dropped the dye into the water and then turned it with their motors to turn it a bright Kelly green
The dye comes out of the boats nozzle as a reddish-brown, initially looks yellow, and finally a bright Kelly green
Tampa Fire Department fire boat the Richard D Santmyer sprays green water over the celebrating boats at the 2018 Mayor's River O'Green
Officials report that the green guy is safe for both people and animals-let's hope so for this little guy who doesn't seem to be bothered by all of the commotion
It's hard to say whether the river O'Green will make it to its eighth iteration in 2019. Buckhorn leaves office this year, and the next Mayor may or may not be so "Irish". Let's party while we can!