THE 8TH ANNUAL-AND POSSIBLY FINAL-MAYOR’S RIVER O'GREEN FEST KICKS OFF ST. PATTY'S DAY WEEKEND
It must be St. Patrick's Day weekend. The river is green and the mayor is walking around in his Shamrock festooned green trousers. Thousands are gathered in Curtis Hixon Park and along the Riverwalk, everyone is dressed in green and acting Irish for the day. Kids are playing cool games, and the lines for beer are several yards long. Happy River O’Green Fest!
Tampa Fire and Rescue boat Patriot helps blend the green dye into the Hillsborough River for the Mayor's River O'Green 2019
Mayor Bob Buckhorn was given an honorary Lightning jersey in commemoration of his last Mayor's River O'Green Fest.jpg
It's a fun celebration but somewhat bittersweet. Mayor Bob Buckhorn is saying goodbye to the city that he has promoted and changed for the last eight years. Term limits says he has to go but he clearly is not ready.
Buckhorn acknowledges Medal of Honor recipients Robert O’Malley and James Charles McCloughan, both Irish, on stage at the River O'Green Festival 2019 before signaling the official start of the festival and the greening of the river
I asked Mayor Buckhorn if he was ready to leave office. He said on his last day we would find claw marks on his desk where they dragged him out. He is seen here posing with two Tampa Police officers.
I asked Buckhorn if he's ready to step down. He told me in no uncertain terms that on his last day there will be claw marks on his desk because they had to drag him out of the building. He noted how much the city has changed under his administration and direction. For nearly a decade he has been Tampa's biggest cheerleader and will leave a legacy of success for our city.
Yes, the river really is that green-a non-toxic biodegradable dye is used for the one day festival
Incoming-A volleyball is thrown by participants trying to sink or it in the red baskets
Fun can be educational-kids could spell out what ever they wanted as part of this oversized Scrabble game
Look at that form-A beanbag toss game, more commonly known these days as corn hole, was part of the fun
Give a bunch of oversized chess pieces to little boys and it looks more like bowling. One of them would stand a piece up, and another would knock it down. Checkmate!
It's hard to say if the River O'Green Festival will return. A new administration might have different ideas on celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Nonetheless it has been a fun run. From one old Tampeño to another, thank you for all you have done, Mr. Mayor. Luck O’ The Irish to you!