Tampa Downtown Carnival Is Coming

Have you heard the news?  Tampa Riverfest 2015 will feature an urban carnival this year!!  I remember about 5 years back the constant complaint from young professionals and millenials that there wasn’t enough to do in Tampa.  I must say that over the last few years Tampa has really tried to step it up and provide an array of activities to bring people downtown. If you’re bored in Tampa these days then I kinda have to say it’s your own fault.

Tampa Riverfest 2015 kicks off next month and for the first time they are bringing in a Carnival downtown along the river.  Sounds pretty cool right?The Tampa Downtown Carnival will be on the Tampa Riverwalk at Cotanchobee Park (just right across from the Amalie Arena).  The Carnival will be open on Saturday, May 2^nd from 10 am to 10pm and Sunday, May 3^rd from 10am to 6pm.

The Tampa Downtown Carnival will feature classic rides like the Para Trooper, Carousel, Fun Slide, Orbiter, Swings, Star Screamer, and more!   There will also be midway games and of course, carnival food.

I’m really curious on how they were able to get it all to fit in this space. I’ve been to this park and it’s going to be a tight squeeze so I’m sure they have had to get creative.  I think the lights at night from the rides against the backdrop of downtown and the reflections illuminating the river is going to make for a photographers dream set up! The possibilities are really endless.

For the kids, there will be kid friendly rides like the Granny Bugs, Berry Go Round, Sky Fighter, and more.  On the Tampa Carnival Stage there will be kid friendly shows like magicians, story tellers, balloon artists, face painters, and others.

For us big kids stuck in grown-up bodies there will be he Samuel Adams Beer Garden will be open throughout the carnival,  serving a variety of craft beers such as Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Yuengling, Angry Orchard, and more! Cocktails will also be available.  The Samuel Adams Beer Garden will also feature Live Music scheduled throughout the two days.

The event is free to the public and ride tickets can be purchased for just $1.  Most rides will require 1-4 tickets.  You can also purchase an unlimited ride wristband.  To get more infromation on directions, parking, and purchasing a ride band in advance, visit the Tampa Carnival website.

If you’re lucky you can win unlimited ride wristbands good for both days of the carnival right here on the blog!  Hooray!!! Subscribers to blog will receive an email with an extra opportunity to be entered to win!  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There are several other events worth checking out during Tampa Riverfest:

Mac &  Cheese Festival 

Curtis Hixon Park

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Event Hours:   4-11 p.m.

Mac & Cheese Sampling: 4-7 p.m.

Fire Works: 10:45 p.m.

Bloody Mary Festival

Curtis Hixon park

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Event Hours:   11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tampa Jazz Festival

Water Works

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Event Hours:   11-4 p.m.

Chalk Art and ASPCA  

USF Anchor Park

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Event Hours:   9 a.m. -3 p.m.

*I received 2 free wristbands to attend Tampa Carnival and wristbands to give away in exchange for sharing this funtastic event on the blog and my socials.  Full disclosure.

 

Lauren G. , Outdoorsy Diva™

“It’s only the great outdoors…what are you afraid of?”